Basketball
Lions Launch Elite Academy
25 July 2007
The Marshall MK Lions today announced the launch of the Milton Keynes Basketball Academy in partnership with Milton Keynes College, the second such programme to be launched by a BBL club in the Summer of 2007.
Lions' Chief Executive, Vince Macaulay, announced "This has been something that has been years in the planning and has been on the agenda ever since Premier League basketball arrived in MK, thanks to the foresight of MK College Principal, Rob Badcock, and Director Of Curriculum, Lindsey Styles, we have achieved a huge step in the progress of Basketball in the city."
Milton Keynes College have recently opened the Courtside facility where the Lions pro team practices and this will be a key delivery venue for students at the Academy. The basketball academy will mean that students of both sexes, under the age of 19, from Milton Keynes and elsewhere will be able to continue their curriculum studies whilst taking basketball seriously in the way you would find at a college in the United States. Rob Badcock said, "The growth of the Lions' junior system has been screaming out for this development, it was the natural step and we are delighted to marry our learning skills and facilities to that of the basketball club".
"Members selected for the Academy will have up to nine hours of basketball instruction as part of the curriculum which will fast track their development of the game" commented Lindsey Styles of the MK College, Macaulay added "Whilst this programme is about developing as basketball players, the youngster's studies will be crucial, no study, no play!"
The ethos of the MK Basketball Academy will be to help pupils attain their goals of "elite" basketball whilst catering for their individual needs as student athletes. The partnership with the Marshall MK Lions and it's successful programs at age group level, including current National Champions at Under 13's, will mean students will be able to test their skills against the best in the country whilst benefiting from the most experienced squad in British basketball.
Advertising has started for the post of Academy Head Coach with interviews to be held in August.
This is the second such academy launched by BBL clubs in the Summer of 2007, after London United and the London Borough of Greenwich 2012 Legacy Team formed the G Plus Academy, fronted by United's Head Coach, and GB Assistant, Tony Garbelotto.
The Marshall MK Lions will be announcing Season Ticket information in the next fortnight with special offers for groups and young people. A Caribbean "Summer at the Stadium" will also be taking place where fans and sponsors can have a basketball day and a tour of the new MK Stadium complex where the Lions will play when the building work is finished, anticipated to be early in 2008.
Information on the Marshall MK Lions is available on mklions.com and information on the Milton Keynes College is available on mkcollege.ac.uk FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Milton Keynes Lions - 01908 512217; BBL - 0870 445 0606
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