News & Events
News Posted on 2nd July 2009
Balfour Beatty London Youth Games Basketball Weekend
The first set of prelims kicked off last weekend with the Boys and Girls Basketball Prelims. Hounslow had a representative side in both events, made up of youngsters from multiple schools around the borough.
The boy’s team, coached by Alan Keen and Rudi Harriet from Feltham Warriors Basketball Club came close to qualifying after losing only one of their three matches to the overall winners on the day. Storming through their first two matches against Harrow and Enfield, the lads came up against big competition in the Newham side and even after a closely fought match, were beaten by the overall winners of the group.
The Girl’s team ultimately coached by Stefan McGarrell from Hounslow Hawks Basketball Club had a similar end result in their competition. With a young squad, who on average was at least 2 years younger than their rivals, the Hounslow team put in great performances, sadly being pipped to the post in all three matches.
Head coach Stefan McGarrell said afterwards “I was so proud of all of the girls and everyone who came to support us. This was a massive learning curve for the whole squad/coaches and this experience will be invaluable for next year’s competition. The London under 17's coach watched our performances and was so impressed with our final performance she asked 4 of our girls to attend the London under 17's trials, next week!
Girls basketball is getting bigger in Hounslow and we are in the process of getting another 3 young female coaches qualified, to accommodate the extra demand.”
Peter Lee from Fusion’s Sports Development Team said “we would like to thank the Team Managers Stefan McGarrell and Alan Keen, for all their help, support and words of wisdom and advice to both of the Basketball Teams both on the day of the event and also throughout the extensive trials and training period. All of your help is very much appreciated.”
As both basketball teams are very young, their next step will be to hit training again to start getting ready for next years games. Team Hounslow’s next challenge lays with the Anglers on Saturday at Brooks Farm Fishery and the Boys Volleyball Team at the Score Centre on Sunday.
