THE assistant coach of Great Britain’s basketball team Tim Lewis has been signed up to a new South East Essex College course.

The college has been picked to run one of the three pilot apprenticeship basketball programmes across the country.

The apprenticeship in sporting excellence will let ten students, aged 16 to 19, continue in full-time education while receiving coaching to take part in national basketball leagues and representing their country.

Mr Lewis, who is also head coach GB for under twenties men, said: “Having spent over 18 years working with the national team I’m very excited to be heading this programme at a college with such a high reputation as South East Essex College.

“Through the new scheme, we’ll offer talented players a unique chance to follow a firm structure of development while ensuring the education of future basketball stars is also delivered.”

Carol Anson-Higgs, the college’s director of business development, said: “Having a coach of Tim’s calibre here is a fantastic coup.