Young basketball players create a lasting legacy

State of the art Community Sport Hub nurtures local basketball talent!

Article Source: Legacy 2014
Last Updated: 17 March 2015 19:39

In celebration of Legacy Week (9th - 15th March 2015), talented young basketball players from East Renfrewshire Lakers, showcased their skills today to Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, at their local community sport hub, created to mark the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.

The basketball team, made up of 7-14 year olds, train on a weekly basis and take full advantage of the state of the art facilities in new Eastwood Community Sport Hub. The centre combines various sports clubs working together to increase the capacity of sport within the local area.

Since the opening of the new community sports hub and offering free "taster sessions", the basketball team has tripled in size from 20 to 60 youngsters, from the local primary and secondary schools in the area.

The dedicated basketball team are already competing in national competitions, including a "Satellite Superleague" development league, run by East Renfrewshire Council, which takes place once a month against four other basketball clubs, with some of the older players now part of Basketball Scotland's Future Starz programme, in which the international team is selected from.

Head coach, Leanne Renfrew, who has been involved with coaching and development of the sport for seven years and is currently Basketball Scotland's young coach of the year, said: "I am extremely proud of the youngsters in the East Renfrewshire Lakers. They work extremely hard during our training sessions and since we moved to the sport hub, it has allowed us to develop as a team, with state of the art equipment and facilities.

"The new centre has also allowed our players to develop at a fantastic rate and has helped in creating more opportunities for residents within East Renfrewshire to take up the sport and create great pathways for children to compete at club level."

Louise Martin CBE, Chair, sportscotland said: "Eastwood Community Sport Hub is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through collective working and genuine community engagement.

"What better legacy from that terrific summer of sport than to see clubs like East Renfrewshire Lakers going from strength to strength, giving young people the opportunity to take part in sport, right at the heart of their local community."

Legacy Week is a celebration of Legacy 2014 activity and there are a number of ways people can get involved this week.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health said: "The success of East Renfrewshire Lakers is a great example of the lasting legacy created by the Commonwealth Games and it's encouraging to see young people so committed to their sport.

"Legacy Week is the perfect time for us all to keep active and we are encouraging people to show their support this week."