Author: Emma Oliver | 1284 Communications
Young people across Leicester and Leicestershire have a fresh route into basketball through a new community initiative led by the Leicester Riders Foundation.
The launch of Leicester Riders Satellite Clubs sees six new community hubs being created to introduce young people to basketball through structured sessions in a positive, fun, and supportive environment.
Players, each aged from 9 to 16, will learn the foundations of basketball and develop their skills while gaining essential life skills including self-discipline, resilience, and teamwork.
The initiative is led by Riders legend and former club captain Conner Washington, and comes as the Club looks to give young local players a pathway to grow their game.
Conner’s passion for inspiring the next generation has long been evidenced through his community involvement, including working as an ambassador for the Junior National League basketball programme last year.
Washington said: “This is an exciting new initiative and I’m proud to be involved with the coaching from the start.
“I’ve already been involved in training young people in the Riders’ Junior National Basketball League and am really excited to be working with the next generation of local talent.
“Launching the Satellite Clubs will enable the Riders to broaden the club’s engagement with local communities bringing young people together through basketball.”
The sessions will be led by Leicester Riders coaches and volunteers, and will take place each week at:
- The Cedars Academy, Birstall
- Manor High School, Oadby
- Beauchamp College, Oadby
- Hastings High School, Hinckley
- The Castle Rock School, Coalville
- Mattioli Arena, Leicester.
With more Satellite Clubs hubs set to launch this season.
Credit: Leicester Riders | Nathan Green
Washington emphasised the significant impact that youth basketball initiatives have – not only the future of the sport in the UK but upon the players themselves.
“This type of initiative is so important not only for teaching basketball skills but also helping young people to develop confidence and resilience whilst working as part of a team – which is what true sportsmanship is all about,” he said.
The long-term goal of each club is to create a team to compete in a new Central Venue League, hosted at Mattioli Arena. From December onwards, these teams will compete on Saturdays, turning a new hobby into competitive play.
Rob Jarram, Head of the Foundation and Player Pathway, said: “The Satellite Clubs initiative is a fantastic step in widening access to basketball and ensuring that young people can experience the sport in a welcoming and supportive environment.
“Basketball has always had the power to bring communities together, and through the Satellite Clubs, we are creating opportunities for new players to discover the game while developing essential life skills on and off the court.
“By building these community hubs, we are laying the foundations for the future of basketball in our region and giving the next generation a chance to thrive both as athletes and as individuals.”
Jarram hopes that the introduction to structured basketball will result in a growth of talent trialling for the Junior National League teams, which sits above the Satellite Club programme.
Get involved in the LRF Satellite Clubs by signing up to sessions using the following links:
Under 11 Boys: https://bit.ly/RidersU11
Under 13 Boys: https://bit.ly/RidersU13B
Under 13 Girls: https://bit.ly/RidersU13G
Under 15 Boys: https://bit.ly/RidersU15B
Under 17 Boys: https://bit.ly/RidersU17B
