SOUTH Essex Swifts Basketball Club is making significant changes for the 2018/19 season.

For the second year in succession, the Swifts will be playing at Woodlands School in Basildon with a particular emphasis on developing younger players.

Also this season, the club formerly known as Southend Swifts will only field one boys team in the National League - at under 16 level - as well as girls teams at under 18, 16 and 14 level.

Two men’s teams will remain in the Essex League but there will also be dedicated training and matches for under 12 players and specifically those at local primary schools.

Swifts Head Coach Steve Pearl said: “Last season’s move to Woodlands provided huge benefits for the club. The school, and specifically the Headteacher, are entirely supportive of what the club is seeking to do.

“Obviously we are an outlet for pupils from the school but we have already made inroads into the local community particularly with our primary school sessions. We are doubling this provision, with training for under 12s on Tuesdays and Fridays between 5pm-7pm.”

There will also be the opportunity for adults to play. These sessions will be held on Friday evenings when there are no second team men’s matches.

Training begins on Monday, September 3. Full details are available at swiftsbasketball.co.uk.