UON backs new local basketball league for girls under 13 with two-year investment

The whistle has blown on the first game played by a newly launched local basketball league for young female players, thanks to financial investment from the University of Northampton (UON).

Established last month, the Rose of the Shires League provides the opportunity for four local basketball teams – Bedford Thunder, Northants Lightning, Duston Hawks and Kettering Phoenix – to take part in a local weekend competition for their under-13 female groups.

This will be a first for the county, which had yet to establish a league for young female basketball players to pit their sporting skills against other local teams. Now, the Rose of the Shires League will give them this opportunity.

To support the start-up league, the University of Northampton has provided two-years of financial aid to provide full facility access at its Waterside Campus, as well as fund the training and support for young girls keen to complete their officiating training.

The University’s Head of Science, Scott Bradley, explains: “Here at the University of Northampton, we jumped at the opportunity to support this local basketball league, and play a part in encouraging the young girls to pursue their sporting ambitions.

“The investment provided by UON will enable this grassroots basketball league to flourish, giving them the physical space and financial backing they need to support their players with improving their skills on the court.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming them back on site in the coming weeks and watching some more fantastic games of basketball by the five talented teams.”

Paul Rice, of the Kettering Phoenix Basketball Club, adds: “It was brilliant to see fifty young female players and developing officials all enjoying the game of basketball.

“Five teams from four clubs came together at the University of Northampton to take part in five back-to-back games. It was fantastic to witness the competitive games take place, in a supportive environment, officiated by some brand-new Level 1 referee and table officials.

“We very much look forward to the rest of the season with under-11 and under-13 events taking place alternately every month.”