London United Harefield Academy leads a new generation of basketball talent

Monday night saw over 100 pupils from 20 primary schools across the borough of Hillingdon take part in a basketball tournament to qualify for the London Youth Games competition.

The tournament, overlooked by London United Head Coach Daniel Szatkowski offered the chance to represent the borough to qualify for the London Youth Games.

London United U18’s did a fantastic job as court leaders and referees helping to make the event a success.

The first stage of the tournament was played as round robin with Hayes Park Primary School, Cranford Park Academy, St Helens, Whiteheath Primary School, Dr Tripletts, Bishop Winnington Ingram CE Primary School, Hillingdon Primary and Hayes Park B qualifying for the quarter finals.

After close quarterfinals it was Whiteheath who topped Hayes 12-8 and Dr Tripletts CE Primary School beating Hillingdon Primary in a very close game 9-7.

Dr Tripletts CE Primary School beat Whiteheath Primary 8-4 in the final to emerge as champions of the Hillingdon Borough Basketball competition.

The top 3 teams received medals sponsored by London Youth Games with all semi-finalists receiving a NBA calendar as a gift from London United Basketball Club.

Kerry Quantrell, Head of PE at Whiteheath Primary School stated ‘The kids thoroughly enjoyed the basketball competition. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to compete in a sport which is for all of them, relatively new. The children left the competition asking whether we could do a basketball league at lunchtimes and whether we could get new posts for the playground- they were definitely inspired by their experience.’

Lloyd Littlewood, Director of Sport at The Harefield Academy commented ‘The Harefield Academy were delighted to host the Hillingdon primary school 3v3 basketball tournament on 1st Feb and our partnership with London United Basketball Club ensured it was a huge success. The sports hall was filled with budding basketball stars from 20 teams and the whole event was officiated and run by 14 sixth form students on our elite basketball programme with London United. It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm for basketball and The Harefield Academy’s facilities being used for primary school sport. Congratulations to Dr Tripplet’s who were the overall winners’.

Head Coach Daniel Szatkowski said; “it was amazing experience to see so many talented players competing at a high level. There was great shooting and a lot of potential on display by those who took part which is a good sign for the future of basketball in the borough. Many thanks to The Harefield Academy for hosting the event and for all the teachers who spent their evening allowing kids the experience to play basketball.”

The top players from the event were invited for London United Saturday morning training sessions which takes place at The Harefield Academy. These sessions are trials for an U11 (year 6 and younger) International tournament in France to be held in May.

For more information on our U11 sessions please contact Daniel Szatkowski on 07453314867 or coach@londonunited.eu