We are really looking forward to getting the Seahawks back together again and start training for the upcoming season, but would also love to see new faces.
Over the last 6 years Bournemouth Collegiate School has offered a basketball academy that has thrived competing at regional and national school level but also with such a strong squad entered the senior level Solent Area League, where our pupils have had the opportunity to put their skills up against senior squads from around the region.
For the upcoming season we are opening our doors to offer this opportunity to pupils from other local schools. We will remain a student based team, still competing at a senior level, and aim to become the recognised youth development squad for the region. We are looking to reach out to anyone from Year 7 through to Year 13 (and even those having just left school) who has an interest in basketball at any level. We offer both the senior squad, for those who are ready to play at this level, as well as development squad which will work more on the fundamentals of the game from the first lay-ups onwards. We will be hoping to offer junior level basketball at U14 and U16 levels playing in local and regional tournaments and senior level basketball playing in the Dorset Basketball Association league and cups. Given enough interest we will also aim to run friendly inter-school competitions within the Seahawks squad.
The team will train on Mondays 4:45-6:30 and Thursdays 4:45-7pm with home matches played on thursday nights from 7:45pm, where away matches are played on evenings throughout the working week. [We understand that training times may be difficult for some pupils travelling a little further and flexibility is given] Throughout September and into October we will be having an “open doors” policy on trials, with pupils offered the chance to come and play and shoot about with other team members and ask questions. Every player is welcome and (depending on numbers) no-one will be turned away, but will be placed either in the senior or development squads and given an honest opinion on how they would fit into the squad; obviously fluidity is offered to move up or down levels as the season progresses.
The Coaches:
Olly Wood has over 25 years of basketball experience playing for regional junior teams before joining Southampton University Sharks. He also coached the So’ton Uni Ladies team, The Shots. After University he moved to the Philippines, (where basketball is a national sport, played all day every day) where he played for his state team, and coached the local team to tournament wins. He set up the BCS Seahawks in 2012 whilst working as a Maths teacher at the school.
Chris Mills is one of the areas most decorated officials, holding a Level 4 (International) license. He has played, coached and officiated basketball for most of his life and brought his vast level of expertise to the team in 2017 helping the pupils have a greater understanding of the game.
Cost:
£320 (£160 payable in both the Winter and Spring terms) which covers all training and playing costs, including license registration with England Basketball and insurance. Includes Seahawks squad T-shirt & water bottle.
or
£150 for "development only" players (£75 payable in both the Winter and Spring terms). If a player shows enthusiasm for the game but is unlikely to play in senior matches, this lower price is offered. This will be discussed prior to the season with each player.
plus
£15 - a one off payment for the black/white reversible training jersey
optional
£80 - a one off optional payment for the professional quality Seahawks playing kit, personalised with your own number of choice and name across the shoulders. Kits are available to hire from the team, if players are selected for matches but have not purchased the kit.