Rossendale Raptors have been running coaching session in local schools to improve the accessibility of basketball and encourage local competition. Along with Rossendale Schools Sports Partnership, Raptors have spent several months coaching and hosted the Rossendale Schools Year Nine girls’ basketball tournament. All Saints, Alder Grange and Haslingden High School all entered teams in what turned out to be a fantastic tournament. All the girls demonstrated skill and a desire to win making the tournament competitive. All Saints brought a large squad showing the popularity of the sport in the school.
Alder Grange’s more experienced players played well in the first game and then managed to get the better of All Saints in the round robin tournament. All Saints then beat Haslingden High School to set up a final game between Alder Grange and Haslingden with everything to play for. The girls from Alder Grange continued to play well, led by player of the tournament Millie Saunders and captain Joanne Daley. Alder Grange won their final game leaving them undefeated and overall winners of the tournament. The tournament was a huge success and was well hosted by the Valleys Basketball Club who provided the referees and the scorers.
The basketball club’s coaching programme in the schools has been a great success, and the club looks forward to hosting further school tournaments in the new year. The Rossendale Raptors have worked closely with the Rossendale School Partnership and benefited from their great support in developing the coaching and tournaments.