12:50pm Tuesday 7th July 2009
By Dick Marshall
ORGANISERS are hoping for big attendances in Southend this week to support Britain’s top young players as they take part in two international matches in the town.
Southend Council is hosting the Great Britain under-20 men’s basketball team as they return to the town during their preparations for the European Championships in Macedonia later this month.
Part of their warm-up schedule involves two key internationals to be played at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park, off Eastern Avenue.
The first is tomorrow at 8pm and the second on Friday at 4pm and the games will be against the French under-18 men who will be in a training camp with the GB team.
The French squad is one of the strongest teams in Europe in their age bracket and will prove to be very tough opponents.
SkySports “Extra Time” show will be visiting Southend on Friday to follow the GB players’ form and also meet some of South East Essex Colleges AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) players who will be assisting in a schools competition during the afternoon.
GB team members hope for a large local crowd to cheer them on for each of their encounters with the French and they will be pulling out all the stops to provide some top quality basketball entertainment.
Southend Council’s executive councillor for culture Derek Jarvis said: “We are very proud to be hosting these key matches here in Southend, and we welcome the crew from Sky Sports ‘Extra Time’ show to film them.
“This is now the third time we have hosted GB basketball squads this summer and is a great showcase for what we can expect with the new Essex Pirates team starting their inaugural season here in October.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along to watch the matches and share in the live excitement.”
Head coach Tim Lewis, who is looking forward to the challenges of the summer said: “Our training heading towards the Europeans is going well. It’s good to be back in Southend.
“The facilities here are perfect, and a testament to the effort the council is making to host top level British basketball here next season, and to making Southend the hub for basketball across Essex.”
To help develop coaching across the region both Lewis and assistant coach Jimmy Guymon, will be running an adidas ‘Back to Basics’ coaching clinic at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre tomorrow at 6pm.
The clinic is open to all local schools and club teams’ coaches and will cost £7.50, which will include entry to the first international.
To register for the clinic please email ian@hoopsetc.co.uk.
Tickets for the matches cost £3 per person for those over 16, or £2 per person for under-16s.
For further information about either international contact the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre on 01702 613000.
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