Court’s top talent Banked for future
MORE than 400 primary school pupils from across Newcastle took part in a Tesco Bank Junior Players basketball tournament at Sport Central.
Tesco Bank Junior Players is a community coaching programme jointly led by the SAFC Foundation of Light, Newcastle United Community Foundation and the Newcastle Eagles-Community Foundation.
The initiative gives young people in the North East the opportunity to not only take part in physical activity but to receive expert tuition from highly-qualified coaches.
The unique programme is first time the three Foundations have collaborated together.
The Tesco Bank programme, now in its second year, also encompasses Hoops4-Health a programme delivered by the Eagles to primary or middle schools in the region with four themed sessions delivered by Eagles’ players which focus on hydration and the importance of water, the effects of sugar, fitness and learning to play basketball.
The tournament was supported by Eagles’ duo Kai Willaims and Jamaal Williams.
Kai Williams said: “It was amazing to see so many young people participate in the programme.
“It is a fantastic initiative to enable young people to experience the sport of basketball in a fun atmosphere while directing young people into our Eagles’ club structure to continue playing the sport.”
Jamal Williams adde:d “This is such a fantastic opportunity for young people to take part in basketball.”
Gillian Fairweather, Tesco Bank’s Community Investment Manager, said: “It was a delight to see our programme in action with so many children taking part in the tournament.
“Our focus is to create opportunities for young people and encourage a fit and active lifestyle.
“The Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation has shown this is an objective it shares with us.
“We are all very much looking forward to seeing this flagship partnership continue in its second year, allowing us to continue giving back to the communities which have supported us.”
The four teams who secured a place in the tournament final were Gosforth East Middle Primary, Walkergate Primary, St John’s Primary and Byker Primary School.
The decider will take place at Sport Central next Friday night ahead of the Eagles’ clash with Sheffield Sharks.
THE Sunderland finals of the Eagles’ Hoops4health tournament will be held at Sport Central on February 2 with the Northumberland final on February 9.
That will be followed by the North Tyneside decider on March 8 and the Gateshead showdown a week later.
Coverage of all the finals will be in Grassroots Sport.