Sportsmatch School Project Success!
June 11th, 2014
After successful sponsorship with Rising Wear clothing the Colliers were able to secure Sportsmatch funding from sportscotland to run a primary school basketball programme.
This involved 6 hours coaching for 5 schools, which covered all the basic fundamentals of the game and would culminate with a central venue tournament bringing all the schools together.
After six weeks of coaching delivered by our partner Reach for the Sky Basketball in Auchinraith Primary, High Blantyre Primary, Bankhead Primary and St Charles Primary the schools were ready to put they learned into action. Unfortunately, Townhill Primary had their school sports day scheduled for the same day and were unable to attend.
The pupils were transported to Calderside Academy in Blantyre for the event and split into smaller teams. With three games going on at once there was plenty of action happening, which also created a fantastic atmosphere in the hall.
Colliers club development officer Ross Hutton commented: “It was great to see the pupils out with their school environment, mixing with pupils from other schools and putting what they learned to good use during the games. The standard from the coaching sessions to the tournament was definitely higher and the behaviour from all the pupils was fantastic.”
Active schools co-ordinator Marc Conroy managed to get free bottles of water from ASDA for the pupils, which went down really well and was instrumental with securing the use of Calderside Academy for the tournament. Marc had this to say about the programme; “I would like to thank the Colliers and Reach for the Sky Basketball for organising a fantastic programme for the pupils and from a cluster point of view it’s been great because after all the basketball that has taken place during curriculum time, for them to come along the Academy and take part in a festival like this is fantastic.”
Special guest Susan Menzies from sportscotland was present to watch the last few games and presented the trophies and certificates. High Blantyre Primary 5 took home the winners trophy and were closely followed by High Blantyre 2 in second place. Chloe MacDonald from Bankhead Primary was awarded the MVP trophy after impressing everyone with her terrific attitude and basketball skills.
“The children have all benefited from the basketball coaching sessions. It has been good to see them progress and develop their skills and apply these in games. The children have really enjoyed the sessions and their increased confidence and enthusiasm was clear at the tournament. There has been a nice feeling of team work and teams were cheering each other on,”
Mrs Laura Ann Cairns, High Blantyre Primary P7 teacher.
Many of the pupils have already took the first step towards playing basketball by attending Reach for the Sky Basketball Development Academies at Blantyre Sports Centre and West Coats Primary in Cambuslang. Furthermore, several have been identified by the Colliers and been invited along to their under 12 session.
Primary 7 pupil Gavin from High Blantyre Primary remarked: “Over the past few weeks I’ve been getting training from Ross and I’ve really enjoyed it because it’s really pushed me to be fit and I think I am going to start playing basketball properly.”
Special guest Susan Menzies, who is Partnership Manager at sportscotland commented: “sportscotland are delighted to support South Lanarkshire Colliers through matching their sponsorship from Rising Ballers. The project has given many children the opportunity to play basketball in their school and provide a pathway for them to continue their participation in the club.“
Colliers would also like to thank the PE staff and school for use of their games hall as well as all the help setting up on the day. We would also like to thank the staff and volunteers from Reach for the Sky as well as the young ambassadors from the school who helped out coaching the teams, refereeing and keeping score on the day. Thank you to all the teachers who have been extremely supportive throughout and to active schools for their partnership assistance.
