Wolves are planning a basketball revolution
West Lothian Wolves chairman Paul Meldrum says his club are planning a basketball revolution.
The Wolves have been a huge part of the sporting scene in West Lothian and last season produced a remarkable 30 Scotland youth internationals.
The club also clinched five national trophies across their various age groups, while the Under- 16 men became the first-ever second tier side to qualify for a Scottish Cup final.
But the chairman is refusing to rest on his laurels and he aims to continue the Wolves legacy into the coming season and beyond, both on and off the court.
He said: “Last year was our most successful season on the court, with five national trophies.
“But it is off the court where the basketball revolution will take place this season.
“We have been utilising the knowledge of continental coaches to bring the very best of European basketball practices to compliment our homegrown tactics.
“We have been running workshops to educate our players and their parents in nutrition, health and mindset.
“This club wide review is as innovative as it is ambitious in community sports clubs and it promises to establish a sustainable model for growth and success for our community for years to come.”
While there are exciting developments off the court, numbers - and success - on the court continue to grow. This season will see boys and girls youth teams from Under-10 and Under-18 as well as at senior level, with two boys teams at Under-12 through to Under-16. For the first time in the club’s history, playing numbers are set to top the 200 mark, further testament to the growth of the club.
Meldrum commented: “This season we will be providing competitive basketball teams than ever before and providing on court action for every player who practices hard in our gym.
“Two-hundred players will take to the court, the length and breadth of the country, to play for the West Lothian Wolves this season.”
And the fact that the club’s more experienced players are helping coach the next generation of talented West Lothian basketball stars is a key sense of pride for the chairman.
He added: “Our gyms are full of players who are ready to continue their basketball development, wherever they are on the learning curve.
“We have plenty of new faces and more international players than ever before who bring something different to training.
“Our experienced players are now assisting in coaching duties with our younger groups, mindful of the help that they were shown themselves and that helps bring together the various age groups at the club.”
He added: “Basketball in Scotland is growing and we feel that Wolves are on the cutting edge. The excitement of what a new season will bring is what drives us on.
“One thing is for sure, the community, all our players, coaches, fans and parents will be behind our Wolves in every winter night car journey to and from training and games, every post-training pasta meal and every shot on game day. We share the joy of winning and the good grace of defeat together.”