Fifty-five talented young basketball players and 15 coaches descended upon the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield for the launch of the England Basketball 2009-10 Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) Programme on Thursday 1 October.

 

Ten of the eleven AASE Institutions were fully represented with the exception of Barking Abbey School.

 

During the day students received coaching sessions from all AASE coaches covering a range of different technical, tactical, physical and mental skills. Special guest coaches were also in attendance including Fabulous Flournoy, who last season led Newcastle Eagles to the British Basketball League, Trophy and Playoff Championship titles, the 2008-09 BBL Coach of the Year Rob Paternostro, and Matt Shaw, an experienced AASE coach.

 

The AASE students were also treated to speeches from Alan Sykes, Chief Executive of League Football Education who has over six years AASE experience, and John Amaechi, a former professional basketball player in five different countries including seven seasons in the NBA.

 

England Basketball's AASE Administrator Charlie Ford summarised the day by saying:

 

"Today is the culmination of months of hard work to get the AASE programme up and running. The day highlights that we are working with extremely talented young players that have a unique opportunity to realise their potential in the sport.

 

"The coaches have also formed a close working relationship to ensure a consistent approach is delivered across all institutions. I would like to thank everyone in attendance for making the day a success."

 

The ten institutions represented at the launch day were:

 

Canterbury High School