Tag: #championswithin #elitekids #elitebasketball #londonelite #londonbasketball #basketballengland #londonhoopers #elitecoaching #elitechampions

London Elite Next Generation

London Elite is thrilled to announce the launch of our U10 basketball program, a significant addition to our club’s mission of providing a comprehensive development pathway for players of all ages. This program is tailored to deliver high-level basketball training specifically for young athletes, establishing a strong foundation in both basketball skills and personal growth.

Unlike the standard “babysitting basketball” model often seen for this age group, our sessions focus on engaging young players in a meaningful, skill-oriented, and enjoyable way, blending fun with development.

Under the guidance of our Head of Player Development, these sessions have been meticulously structured to ensure that each participant receives a well-rounded introduction to basketball. Young athletes will not only learn the fundamentals but will also be immersed in a rich basketball environment that includes training, local games, special events, and even the possibility of international exposure.

Our senior coaches, along with up-and-coming talent, will lead the sessions to ensure the highest quality of instruction and support, setting up our young players with the skills, confidence, and discipline they need to thrive in basketball and beyond.

This U10 program marks an essential step in rounding out London Elite’s offerings, further establishing our club as a leader in youth basketball development. We’re committed to nurturing talent and providing young players with opportunities to grow, succeed, and enjoy the sport at every stage.

You can apply to join this fantastic opportunity here: https://londonelite.club/contact-us/join-the-team/

Crest Academy Joins the London Elite Academy Family


We are excited to announce that Crest Academy is now officially part of the London Elite Academy. This collaboration, which began two years ago, has already yielded remarkable success. Under the guidance of Coach Kelson Dickson and Coach Afiz (Way2Work Crest Academy played a pivotal role in taking our U18 team to the National League final and securing the National Cup, marking the first-ever national trophy for London Elite.


Crest Academy has rapidly become one of the top academies in London, if not the entire UK, thanks to coach Kelson and Coach Afiz (Way2Work) leadership. Moving forward, London Elite and Crest Academy will work hand in hand to deliver a dominant U18 team. Crest Academy’s participation in Tier 2 is a fantastic addition to our current partnerships with Harris Lowe and West London College, collectively forming an outstanding provision for London Elite’s U18 program.

[Quote from Coach Kelson. “I am excited about the partnership between London Elite and Crest Academy. Two provisions that have a player-centred approach and believe in the development and maturation of players. Having worked with coach Daniel before for a number of years and having numerous successes through those years, it felt right to continue to merge our strengths for the betterment of our players. Players now can compete at a high level with many different avenues open to them to grow and develop

This exciting new chapter promises to elevate our U18 team to even greater success. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build a powerhouse in youth basketball.
See the link below for applications. https://forms.office.com/e/JHt9hBtyPc

This is an opportunity not to be missed! If more info is required, don’t hesitate to get in touch with [email protected] or 07453314867.

U14 Squad Claims National Championship Title

The Elite U14 basketball squad achieved a remarkable feat by clinching the National Championship title in a thrilling season that will be remembered for years to come.

Having fallen short of victory in the previous season, the team harboured a sense of unfinished business, driving them to elevate their game to new heights. Their journey to the championship was marked by resilience, determination, and outstanding teamwork.

The season commenced with a perfect record of 22-0, propelling the boys into the playoff stage. The path to glory was not without its challenges, as they faced formidable opponents such as the London Warriors and the talented Manchester Giants in the quarterfinals. However, the team’s unwavering resolve saw them through to the Final Four Event, hosted at the prestigious National Performance Center in Manchester.

In the semifinal clash against London Legends, the team encountered a fierce challenge, but a stellar performance by Daniel Onuoha, who scored an impressive 42 points, propelled them to victory and secured their spot in the final.

The championship showdown against Manchester Magic proved to be a nail-biting affair, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout the game. Despite facing adversity, the team rallied together, with standout performances from Leo Bowman, Daniel Onuoha, and Zan Milovidov. Leo Bowman’s exceptional display earned him the title of Final MVP, tallying an impressive 34 points and 11 rebounds, while Daniel Onuoha continued to shine with his 37-point contribution.

In a display of sheer determination and skill, the team dominated the fourth quarter, securing a decisive 105-78 victory and etching their names in history as National Champions. Watch the highlights here of this remarkable achievement created by one of the most influential basketball videographers DezeReels.

Reflecting on the remarkable journey, Coach Miguel McKelvey expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments. He attributed their success to their unwavering belief in themselves and their commitment to each other. He lauded the players not only for their achievements on the court but also for their character and resilience as young men.

The Elite U14 squad’s triumph in the National Championship stands as a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and unwavering spirit, solidifying their place as one of the finest youth basketball teams in the country.

U15 EYBL SUPERFINAL

London Elite U15 Squad Shines at EYBL Superfinal in Bucharest

London Elite’s U15 basketball squad recently showcased their talent and resilience at the prestigious EYBL Superfinal in Bucharest, Romania. Despite facing formidable competition and challenging circumstances, the team’s performance was nothing short of remarkable.

In their opening game, the squad faced the home team, Dan Dacian Bucharest, with a massive home crowd cheering against them. Undeterred, the London Elite players displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, securing a commanding victory with a 14-point lead.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. In the second game against Austrian USBC Juniors Graz, the team suffered a setback when they lost starter guard Nathanael Martelly to injury early in the match. Despite the adversity, they fought valiantly in another closely contested game.

In the semi-final showdown against Lanciano, the game went down to the wire, with London Elite narrowly losing by just 2 points. Despite the defeat, Lanciano went on to claim the EYBL championship, highlighting the caliber of competition at the tournament.

Individually, standout performances were recognized. Kaya Biersen was named the team MVP for his consistent excellence throughout the tournament, while Eugene Tatunciac earned a spot in the tournament’s All-Star 5, showcasing his exceptional skills on the court.

In the third-place game, all players contributed significantly, demonstrating significant improvements since the beginning of the tournament. Despite narrowly missing out on a podium finish, London Elite finished in a highly respectable 4th place out of 12 teams in the Superfinal.

Head Coach Andre Lowe summed up: ” Boys made me and the club proud. Going into such high calibre tournament and making it so far shows how talented this unit is. I could not be more proud of how this team came together. We had a never-give-up attitude and showed character and fight and narrowly missed out on the championship game by 2 points in a game which went down to the wire. Experience players collected is unmatched.”

The team’s performance at the EYBL Superfinal underscores their talent, resilience, and determination to compete at the highest level. London Elite’s U15 squad has once again proven themselves as a formidable contender on the international basketball stage, bringing pride and recognition to the club and their supporters.

THE YEAR 2023 SUMMARY

Year 2023 – A Remarkable Chapter in Our 4-Year Journey

As we bid farewell to 2023, a year etched in the annals of our club’s history, we reflect upon the incredible milestones that have made it arguably the most successful in our four-year journey.

National League Triumphs:
The year kicked off with resounding success as our U18 squad secured a coveted spot in the National Cup final after a fierce battle against Milton Keynes. Facing the London Legends in a thrilling final played in Manchester, our boys emerged victorious, clinching the title of National Champions. Simultaneously, our Division 2 side, under the guidance of Coach Daniel Szatkowski, achieved promotion to Basketball England’s top tier – Division 1.

Our talented junior teams continued the winning streak, with two squads making it to the Final Four event in Manchester. The U14s and U18s showcased their prowess, promising a formidable future for our club.

In the realm of girls’ basketball, our debut season in the National League saw our young squad earning promotion to the U16 South Premier League, marking a monumental achievement for our girls’ side.

EYBL Campaign:
Our foray into the European Youth Basketball League (EYBL) was nothing short of spectacular. The U20 team, under the strategic leadership of Oskar Striuga, embarked on a journey to Levice, Slovakia. The team exhibited commendable resilience against top-tier opponents, ultimately securing a remarkable 7th-place finish.

On the other side of the spectrum, our U13 squad, masterfully guided by Coach M. McKelvey, ventured to Budapest, Hungary. Displaying an upward trajectory in skill and passion, our young players faced off against formidable teams from across Europe. With standout performances from L. Bowman, D. Onuoha, and Z. Milovidov, the unthinkable was achieved – the U13 EYBL CHAMPIONSHIP! This triumph not only resonates within our club but also echoes across the European basketball community, marking a historic milestone for our organization.

Individual Achievements:
Our commitment to player development was further exemplified by numerous call-ups to represent London and the UK. Standout players such as Kaya Birsen, Ata Charles,E. Ahamefule, S. Emanelo, L. Campbell, and N. Djanogly earned spots in various national teams during the Euro Campaign 2023.

As the summer unfolded, our players garnered attention from programs worldwide, receiving offers from renowned institutions such as Jefferson College ( Devonte Sanusi), Adam’s University Philippines ( RJ SanDiego), Florida Coastal Prep ( Elise Guede), LA Sierra ( Jonah Bediako), Western Texas ( Liam Campbell), Strength and Motion Prep ( Hunter Kelleher), and Brewster Academy ( Nathaniel Djanogly).

A Glimpse into 2024:
As we celebrate the successes of 2023, we eagerly anticipate an even more remarkable 2024. The foundation has been set, and with unwavering dedication, we are poised for greater achievements, both on and off the court.

Cheers to a stellar 2023, and here’s to an even brighter 2024!

U13s ARE EYBL CHAMPIONS!

Yes, you read it right, London Elite’s talented U13 Team are European Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Champions for 2022/23! This is a fantastic achievement for our young side who beat some of Europe’s most prestigious basketball programmes to take the U13 crown.

The EYBL regular season had provided a tough test for our U13s, who finished with a 5-3 record – a great achievement in their first EYBL season, but not quite enough to qualify for the Superfinal. Then, one May evening, the squad were offered a wildcard place due to another team dropping out. This came in a period of new beginnings as the U13s waved a fond farewell to long-standing Head Coach Alek, and welcomed his replacement, Miguel McKelvey. Four talented new players also joined the ranks, with Daniel Onuoha, Pawel Obadowski, Leo Bowman, and Tay Asker bringing much needed depth and athleticism.

Grasping the opportunity to make London Elite history, Coach Miguel began preparations for the Superfinal, including competing in Brentwood Fire’s 1-day tournament. Some accomplished performances saw the boys bring home the trophy, ensuring we headed to the Superfinal brimming with confidence. The Team arrived in picturesque Budapest on Sunday 18th June, fired up and ready to begin their campaign the following day:

Game 1 saw the boys get off to a strong start against Slovakian side BBC Kamarno, securing a high-scoring 96-68 victory, with 5 players hitting double digits in scoring: D.Onuoha (25), Q.McKelvey (20), J.Toppin (15), P.Obadowski (14), and L.Bowman (10).

Game 2 presented a bigger challenge against Polish side Twarde Pierniki Torun, a team that finished 2nd in the EYBL North regular season, losing only 1 game.  Led by Quentin McKelvey (21 points, 7 rebounds), the boys started off strong and jumped to a solid 20-point lead. A spirited comeback from Twarde Pierniki saw our lead reduced to single figures, but the boys held on to secure their second win of the day 88-74.

Game 3 saw our boys matched against a Budapest Select team containing some of the top prospects in Hungarian basketball and boasting a regular season record of 8-2. Led by Leo Bowman (23 points, 10 steals, 7 rebounds) and Daniel Onuoha (21 points, 17 rebounds), our boys established a 10-point lead at half time. After a stirring talk from Coach Miguel, the team extended their lead to 20 points in the 3rd Quarter and sailed to a 67-57 victory.  London Elite had made the final and the dream was taking shape!

Daniel Onuoha stormed the Superfinal but claiming much deserved MVP title

The EYBL Final provided the ultimate test against Ukrainian side BC Uzhgorod, a highly competitive outfit with a 10-1 regular season record.  We got off to a flying start, with a 14-point lead by half-time, but the Ukrainians showed great resilience in the second half, making fifteen 3-pointers to bring the game back in their sights. Our boys’ did not disappoint, putting on a heroic performance to hold on for the win and secure the EYBL Title. Shout out to Daniel Onuaha (19 points, 8 rebounds), Jayden Toppin (16 points, 9 rebounds), Leo Bowman (11 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, Team MVP), and Aleksander Milovidov, our 6’4 giant who played at tremendous efficiency (27) and earned the Final MVP award.

A perfect end to the season and a true underdog story! Additional mentions to Quentin McKelvey who was ranked 4th overall for the EYBL season (ave. 22.3 points), and Daniel Onuaha who was voted Superfinals MVP (ave. 20.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 26.5 Efficiency).

Head Coach Miguel McKelvey said: ”It was an honour to coach these players at EYBL. In addition to their talent, they are a great group of boys. They all have a love for the game that shows in how they play. They bought into our strategy and did a great job executing the game plan as a team. I congratulate them on their incredible accomplishment!

First Junior Final Fours in books!

Not many people would believe after only the first-ever season in Premier competition, London Elite would break into the most prestigious junior competition in UK. Joining well-established basketball programs seemed like an impossible goal to have.

Hundreds hours of training, countless miles to the away games, tones of emotions, dozens of won games and our dream has come true. Our talented U14 and U18 squads have booked a place at a highly anticipated event in Manchester.

U18’s

Our oldest junior team went through really competitive Playoff rounds before reaching semi-final match-up vs London rivals CoLA. In the first round of the playoffs, our home venue Capital City was visited by Manchester Giants team which provided a tough match up for our boys. U18’s closed the game in great fashion and secured a quarter-final game vs Myerscough.

North England based squad is part of EABL academy and has plenty of talented players. Our quarterfinal game went back and forth with no side taking clear lead and overtime was needed to see any side claiming the win. Our u18’s supported by 200+ spectators achieved the unbelieve goal of winning a game by only 2 points behind perfectly executed play at the end of the game. A great pass by Omon Arifkhanov set Hunter Kelleher for an open 3. Hunter did not hesitate and Hunter did not let his team down. Perfect 3-point shot will be forever key highlight for our U18 campaign. The final fours ticket was booked in heroic circumstances.

Semifinal match-up saw our U18 squad face South London Rivals, City of London Academy. In a low scoring affair, it was our team that held nerves and claimed an important win which meant that Grand Final against Manchester Magic was set. With over 1000 spectators watching this clash live, it was obvious it is one of the most electric clashes possible. Top players, programs and coaches on display. Game started in our favour however hot handed host came back and controlled the game within 10 point lead though out 2nd and 3rd quarter however our London boys never gave up and fought bravely back bringing the game to 3 points difference with 3 mins on the clock. Despite a great fight, it was North England side that sealed the game and claimed the championship on that fantastic night in Manchester.

Our U18’s squad in first-ever Juniors Final Fours has claimed 2nd place. This was added on top of U18 National Cup won In January.  Head Coach Kieran Matthews said: “ Such a fantastic journey did not finish the way we wanted. However the final game was a testimony of what London Elite club has become. Even though we did not win the championship, our boys won National Cup and were Runner up in National League. They made the whole club proud.

Before the season started last August 2022, it was hard to imagine we would be one of the four top teams in the United Kingdom by April 2023.  Big congratulations to Hunter Kelleher for being named as an All Star 5 for the whole Final Four tournament!

U14 Head Coach Alek Blagoevski-Trazoff “Our U14 team had just gotten promoted from the Conference to the Premier Division in the summer of 2022 when I took over the reins. We were a part of the most competitive conference (SouthWest) and had the last year’s champions to compete with. However, we started the pre-season preparations ahead of time and we set the bar high in terms of the process goals we wanted to achieve. We also had a very talented group of kids to begin with, including U14 England national team member Kaya Birsen and Aspire program members Daniel OlusanyaQuentin McKelvey and Nicholas Ferrari.”

The team was fortunate to have an Aspire program member, a fantastic leader, Mamba mentality and your next CEO Ata Charles Refiogly join in the off-season, which was one of the critical pieces for our success. At that time, we formed the base of success for the next year, including internationals Alexander Milovidov and Omer Zardok Shemer. We were very fortunate to add key pieces later on during the season, including Berkay Adala and Niko Sagiryan. By the end of the season, I was referring to this team as the “UN team”, given that we had so many different nationalities on the team – players, parents and coaches.

The season was fairly long and gruelling. We faced many challenges.  Our conference did have some of the best players and coaches in the country, and they stepped up to the challenge as well. We had one overtime, one double overtime game, and one game where the refs left the game – all of them away!!! Particularly at the end of the season, we had several setbacks with injuries to key players and emotional rollercoaster games, which all took a toll on the team.

Frankly – all of those challenges made us come together as a family and a community and made the trip to the Junior Final Foul (JFF) a very much deserved reward for all the sacrifices and hard work.

This success would not have been possible without the generous support from the club, all the parents and players. In particular:

— Club Director and JFF Assistant Coach – Daniel Szatkowski — thank you for the amazing opportunity to be the Head Coach this year!

— my assistant coach Miguel McKelvey — thank you for disagreeing with me so often. It made me a much better coach! You know I appreciated it then and will forever remember them. I am sure there were many other ways in which you supported the club, for which I am also very grateful!

— Onur Birsen — parent, recruiter and website master extraordinaire — your overall efforts with recruitment and thoughtful comments on strategy were an indispensable part of the success!

— Charlie and Kate Addison – all the video and statistical analysis made the coaching work so much more focused!

— Nadia Refioglu – for trusting me as a coach and supporting Ata so much, including driving an untold number of miles and being stuck in traffic in the last 8 months…

“Even though we ended the season in fourth place in the JFF after losses in two very close games, this season has been nothing short of phenomenal, given this was the London Elite U14 Boys Premier first time competing at this level. Almost half the team who went to the event this year is coming back next year, and they experienced the incredible intensity and energy in Manchester! They all know the amount of work and dedication required to succeed at the highest level.”

“With an amazing selection of new talented kids who have already indicated they are joining the team and a great new Head Coach, I have no doubt they will be very competitive next season as well. I am certain the team will be back even stronger and better prepared for a Junior Final Four run in April 2024. Watch this space…”

Big congratulations to Daniel Olusanya for making tournament All Star 5!


As they say in the Foreign Service – this is not a goodbye, but a “see you soon”…

The Sure Shot U18 National Cup belongs to London Elite!

London Elite’s U18 squad have made club history by securing our first National Title.

The Team battled their way to the Final with a series of hard-fought wins over Bracknell Cobras II (129-32), Brighton Cougars (105-51), Reading Rockets (98-79), Solent Kestrels (91-80), Bracknell Cobras (94-86) and Milton Keynes Breakers (89-82). All of the boys showed great dedication throughout the journey, enduring long trips on the motorway, and often playing double-headers across the weekend.

The Final took place on the 22nd of January at Manchester’s National Basketball Performance Centre, with the boys squaring up against local rivals London Legends – an experienced and high-performing team that we know well.

A slow start saw London Legends jump to a 7-0 lead, but the Team responded quickly, with Kelleher and Arifkhanov regaining control of the game and establishing a 15-11 lead by the end of the 1st Quarter.

The 2nd Quarter saw Campbell and Kelleher put on a show and widen our lead to 10 points by half-time. The Team refused to slow down, continuously extending our lead throughout the 2nd half, and finally securing the National Cup with a resounding 70-53 win.

The London Elite Family is proud of all our boys, with special congratulations to Hunter Kelleher (recording a double-double in the first half), and Liam Campbell (named finals MVP).

Liam Campbell was selected Finals MVP

U18’s Head coach Kieran Matthews said: “All the guys really did a great job, everyone got on the court, played their role and helped secure this championship. I’m really proud of all the guys and the monumental impact they have had on the growth of the program as a whole.

The boys did a great job of controlling the controllables, which when mixed with their desire to win, really made the difference.” (LE had a total of 81 rebounds compared to Legends 47).

Visit our YouTube channel to see what happened behind the scenes, and enjoy the fairytale journey one more time:

(578) LONDON ELITE vs LONDON LEGENDS | Sure Shot U18 2022/2023 Men’s National Cup Final – The Story – YouTube

London Elite VS London Legends

Gniezno, Thank You!

Thank you. This is the first thought that comes to our mind when we look back on a recent trip to Poland for the Gniezno cup. We could not be luckier to be able to travel across the continent to take part in one of the biggest youth basketball festivals in Europe. Despite the fact that taking 34 teenagers for 5 days in Poland could be a very difficult logistic task, our coaches stood up to the challenge and made this trip happen. And what trip that was! Watching players bond, support each other, making life friendships while doing what they do best, playing basketball.

Having arrived on Thursday 30th June, our players checked in to a very nice Hotel and after a few hours set off for their shooting session. Friday morning saw our teams starting their tournament.

U15 boys started their tournament with a convincing victory 50-12 over 3rd Israel team Maccabi Ashod. Not long after the first win our youngest team in this tournament faced the German team White Wings. The good all-team effort saw our boys secure 2nd win of the day with a good win 43-20. Our girl’s team faced MKS Piaseczno from Poland in the first game of the tournament. Despite being close in competition our girls fell to the polish side 24-30. Friday evening saw us playing LA BAsketba Warsaw. Girls started really hot with great shooting from Mila Piscitelli and Elia Ando and controlled the game for majority of game however mistakes towards the end saw our side with a heartbreaking 40-37 loss.

Boys U17 set the tone with a big win over Israel Maccabi Ashod. The game remained close till the mid-3rd quarter when our boys went on a big run and secured a 47-26 win! The same day saw our team face home team MKK Gniezno where our boys fell 58-56 in a very dramatic ending. 3rd game of the day for our oldest squad was what to be possibly the most dramatic game for our club at Gniezno Cup. Very well and physical German side Fortuna Logabirum pushed our boys all the way. very slow start 0-13 put our boys in a difficult situation. But amazing support from Girls and U15 boys plus great coaching tips from coach Kieran and coach Daniel saw our boys improve their game with a great comeback. The late3 shot failed and we were to head to overtime against the German side. Both teams traded baskets but it was our boys holding their nerves and collecting a very important win 58-56. Well done!

Day 2 saw our girls play home side. Our girls stayed within a few points for 3 quarters but the experienced polish team secured 46-26 win with a big run in the 3rd quarter. Our girls never gave up and went into the 4th game with a great attitude and collected the first win over Maccabi Ashod. Girls played really well-organised basketball and sealed 49-26 win. Much deserved for our girl’s side who was improving with every minute of basketball played.

Our U15 boys faced a team that later on won the whole cup, the Latvian side Brivsolis Tukums. The boys went head to head and pushed the Eastern European team all the way but came short and lost 45-53. In late Saturday afternoon, our team faced Maccabi Ashod II in-game that would define 2nd place in their group and the right to compete for 3rd place in Gniezno Cup. A closely contested team saw Coach Mauro DiNunzio’s troops playing possibly best basketball also far and claiming a very important win 53-47! truly amazing to see our boys come together.

U17 team could not allow any more losses if they were thinking about winning Cup. After game vs younger polish side Bombardier Szczecin which our boys won easily 55-18, our team went to play previously undefeated Twarder Pierniki Torun. The level of focus, togetherness and effort was absolutely unmatched and our team secured a convincing 59-31.

Sunday was the final day of competition saw our girls losing to MKS Wroclaw which is one of the better polish U17 teams. Despite the great first half, our girls could not keep up with the well-organised and talented team. In our first-ever international tournament, our girls finished 5th overall but the results do not reflect the progress and quality of basketball our girls played. Really impressive!

Our U15 boys faced Swedish side Trellborg Pirates in a 3rd place game. But this was not our game. fatigue took its toll and despite the fight, our boys fell to Swedes 31-47 but overall finished 4th out of 11. Progress made is unreal, the work coach Mauro did, will bring great fruits to this team. The boys made our club very proud!

Our most experienced side, U17 boys. the team that has swept the EYBL stage. Boys’ team are by far the most improved squad London Elite ever had. The team that despite main player A.Willson being injured, stayed together. The team that CLAIMED 1ST PLACE in a very competitive Gniezno Cup. words can’t describe the feeling coaches, parents and club have just from the reflection of these boys’ journey. Devante Sanusi picked all-tournament MVP after displaying amazing performance throughout all 3 days.

Girls Coach Merlin Piscitelli said: “What an incredible weekend! It was a true honour and pleasure to coach the London Elite U17 girls basketball team this past weekend at an International Basketball tournament in Gniezno, Poland that included 3 London Elite teams. With over 30 kids in total, it was a special bonding trip for the players and allowed them to test their talents against some of the strongest basketball countries in Europe ( and beyond) such as Germany, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, Ireland, Israel and more. As a coach, it was inspiring to watch our kids represent the club, country and city at the highest standard both on and off the court, truly proud to be involved and to be able to give back to the kids and sport of basketball”

Countless memories, 34 players, 15 games, multiple dramatic ends, 3 teams. 1 club. 1 family. Gniezno cup, Thank you and see you next year!

History Made

U12  and their first International Trophy won in Belgium

We are pleased to announce that our U12 squad have recently travelled to Belgium for their first international tournament between  26-29th of May 2022 and successfully gained 1st place trophy.

We feel thrilled with this achievement, as we acknowledge the whole process behind the curtains-  countless hours of training and coaching sessions, but also non-court work which involved set up the trip for 29 attendants, booking a coach & ferry, organising a hotel, food entertainment for kids and possible sightseeing after games. Finally, what is the most important thing to prepare mentally this young team for upcoming challenges etc. Our group which travelled to Belgium was made of 11 players and 18 family members & relatives. Both parents and coaches did magnificent work and supported young player on court but also outside it.

After successful check-in into a hotel and getting good night sleep, our boys went to play the home team in the first challenge. A comfortable win was secured with all players getting a sufficient number of mins. Shortly after we faced first of American teams. 40 points win felt unreal as the opposition was well organised, talented and physically ready.  Coach Daniel summed this game” I have seen our team have a great team, but the performance we put against USA Eagles was something I have not seen in a long time, our ball movement, the organised defence was on an absolutely different level”

Having completed first day, our group headed to the beautiful town of Ghent for joint sightseeing and to get a taste of real Belgian waffles and chocolate. In the evening we all gathered to see the local town and head for well-deserved Italian pizza. This was an amazing bonding experience, where parents could get to know each other more, and the team could play a few games together, and eat dinner. That day all smartphones were idle as we  had such a great time together, no one was bothered to check their phones for entertainment reasons. This wonderful restaurant was perfectly scouted by coach Miguel, and believe us, its not so easy to find a venue which would serve to 30 people and can host them.

Second day of the tournament welcomed us with the game against younger team of Space Elite Cadets which was a great opportunity to provide our full roster much-needed experience.

The evening game was probably the most exciting from all group stage where we had a rematch with USA Eagles. American team came out firing and looked really determined to prove the day before was just an accident. Supported by nearly 100 people our American opposition was able to slow down our ball movement, forced our players to take low chances shots and force us to sustain from the non-established lead of no more than 5 points. A nail-bitin finish saw the Eagles taking 1 point lead with 40 secs left, tough baseline floater by Logan Addison regained our small margin lead. However 2 secs to go, the opposition made 1 free throw out of two and the result was tied. Time out called by our coaches helped our boys establish good inbound play, executed by Nicholas Ferrari we all witnessed one of the most acrobatic game-winning shots which secured 2 point win over American team. WOW

Having collected another 2 wins, our boys were indeed quite tired but very happy. The plan for the day was not over as all group headed for 2nd day of sightseeing, this time we got to see the outstanding town of  Brugge. Breath-taking and picturesque architecture divided by channels would remain in our memory, not to mention delicious ice creams topped with Belgian waffles.

3rd and final day saw our young squad facing 3rd time Eagles. The structure of the tournament saw top 2 teams from the group go against each other. Both teams started game off with much of focus on defence limiting opposition’s chances to score. Lead going back and forth provided yet again a lot of emotions to spectators. With 3 point lead, 40 secs to go our team did not lose nerves. Great team offence finished by Judah Assam established 5 point lead which our team never let go. The first international tournament championship has become a reality. History made!

Our U12 team top scorer Quentin said:” The tournament was very diverse. We got to play teams from different parts of the world. Our coaches supporting us during our time playing was vital. We always have good coaches who tell us how to correct mistakes so we try not to let them happen again. It was great to come together and go sightseeing. Trying different foods, seeing different sites and hearing different languages were amazing.

Really bonding with my teammates made me happy. I’ve never taken a long coach ride before and the comforts of having a good bus driver made it a good journey for me, my teammates and my parents. I can’t wait to travel again with my team! “