New teams formed, as we welcome new coaches to LDM!

It was a great full day of basketball on the 12th September 2020, as we began our first indoor community sessions since before the lockdown period in March. Over 70 young people attended throughout the day across the various age group and trial sessions, as we selected teams for two LDM U16s Boys teams and the U23 Mens team.

The day started with our first indoor junior session at Cockburn School, with a mixture of young boys and girls meeting their coaches for the first time. We were pleased to welcome former England International basketball player and level 3 basketball coach, Jimmy Mccauley, as he started his role as head coach for the 8-12 age group. There was plenty of fun to have for the young people and we look forward to entering our first mixed U12 team into the NBL Regional North division in November.

The junior session was followed by our girls only session, for girls aged 13-17, which was headed by coach Shaquille Butler, who put the players through their paces through a series of fitness and skill based exercises, as they prepare to take part in friendly and CVL competitions in the 20/21 season. There great effort put in all around, as we look forward to this becoming our fastest growing session of the season.

Trials for the U16 Boys and U23 Men took place in the afternoon and were led by head coach Norman Francis. We were happy to welcome our new head coach for the U23 mens team, former BBL coach Ariel Parrucci, who took on the role of selecting his team for the 20/21 season from the group of attendees. The day was supported by our group of dedicated coaches and volunteers, many of whom are new additions the season, whilst COVID-19 measures were strictly adhered to throughout.

The day started what is to be an eventful season for LDM Basketball and whilst the current pandemic provides many reasons to be cautious, we look forward to welcoming more enthusiastic young people and volunteers through our doors over the coming months.