Shooting hoops with Alford Basketball Club

Alford Basketball Club was formed in 2009 to provide alternative sporting activity for children and young people in the local area. Since then, the Club has gone from strength to strength and now has over 50 members in various age groups from P6 to S6. Girls’ and boys’ teams are competing in local leagues and some players have represented Grampian region in national tournaments.

The Club is an independent group, but has been fortunate to receive support from the Active Schools Co-ordinators at primary and secondary levels, as well as from Alford Academy’s PE staff. Last year the Club secured a £2000 grant from the 2014 Communities Fund, which aims to increase participation in sport in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The money helped to buy much needed start-up equipment. This year, a further £2000 from Awards for All paid for the installation of adjustable basketball goals suitable for the increasing number of primary school-age participants. In order to buy new strips and equipment, the Club is holding a fund-raising ceilidh with Clachan Yell in Craigievar Hall on Saturday 29 October. Tickets are available via the Club website (www.alfordbasketball.leaguerepublic.com).

The enthusiasm of the kids involved has been fantastic. Although football and swimming thrive in Donside, there is little else in the way of out of school sport and the launch of a new indoor activity has appealed to a wide range of ages. The Club is now seeking adults to form senior teams to play in the Grampian leagues. It has entered the Men’s and Women’s Cups this year, with senior pupils making up the bulk of the squads so far. Three of the Club’s younger players have been selected to take part in basketballscotland’s Future Starz development programme, which aims to prepare players for selection into the national squad.

The Club now has two UKCC Level 1 coaches and another two will become certified shortly. Volunteer support is crucial to keeping the Club going. If you think you could help, please contact the Club via the website. Anyone interested in coming along to training should check the website for details and just turn up. You do not need to be a pupil at Alford Academy.

Training sessions run in Alford Academy Games Hall on Tuesdays at 4.00−4.45pm for boys and girls in Primary 6 and 7, at 4.00−5.30pm for Under-18 Girls (all secondary-age girls) and at 5.30−7.00pm for Under-14 Boys. Under-18 Boys train on Sundays at 2.00−3.30pm. Open training for people in S5/6 and adults is on Sundays from 5.00−6.00pm. Check the Club at: www.alfordbasketball.leaguerepublic.com.

For further details, contact: Alford Basketball Club

Sorley Johnston 07718 140695

Wendy Simpson 07831 440848