To all the returning players: Welcome Back.
To all the new players: Lets see what you've got.
The Seahawks lost its backbone at the end of last season with the starting 5 now off to University to study and hopefully play and represent their teams. BUT that doesnt mean that its over. I plan to bring the Seahawks back, stronger than ever and continue to push ourselves to the next level.
I will continue to say that what we do is above and beyond a normal schools sporting program. We take kids, as young as 14, and put them against men. We pride ourselves in what we achieve, even if its not loads in the W column, we play and compete and hold our heads high.
A quick outline for the new guys:
There is basically zero schools based basketball in Dorset at any age group. I've tried, but schools target Football, Rugby and Cricket. We play occasional games and more often than not destroy local rivals. And so, we now compete in the Solent Area Basketball Association league, which is a Mens league covering Portsmouth to Weymouth. We no doubt get beaten by the league leaders, but at the tail end we compete and have great games, and the effort is worth it. We don't ask any team to "go lightly" on us kids, and they play... but boy is it fun to watch them get properly rattled when they are losing to the school kids!
We also aim to compete in the National Schools Competition, and this puts us against huge sporting schools like Millfield and the last 2 seasons have narrowly missed out on advancing to South West Regional Championships. Again to get to this stage we need to prove we are the best in Dorset.
But finally, and most importantly, the Seahawks is a Team. We strive, to turn you guys not just into great basketball players, but team members, with a feeling of a single family unit. Work hard, on and off the court to improve yourselves and finally, be proud to pull on your Seahawks jersey and take to the court.
Trials are next Thursday 15th September from 3:40pm during pathway and onto 6:30pm. If you are at all interested in basketball then turn up. You never know what you may achieve.
The Academy is non-selective, if you wish to pay, then you're in. But the team and playing time is selective, we are here to play and win, and the coaching staff will make the selections based on that.
Training is Monday 3:40 - 4:40pm for juniors & 3:40 - 6:30 for Seniors and all members. During the season this will be flexible to accommodate our home games, which are always on Thursday nights from 7:45pm. (Away matches can be any night).
I will answer any more questions next week and hope to see you all there.
Coach Wood