Basketball players court lottery funding

Friday 12 July 2002

basketballscotland have welcomed their fifth consecutive year of funding from the sportscotland Lottery Fund's Junior Groups Programme, which provides talented young athletes with a comprehensive training and competition programme.

"This extensive programme is now the cornerstone of basketballscotland's international activity..."

basketballscotland has received £40,000 from sportscotland, which will support the training and competition programmes of four national squads throughout the 2002-2003 international season: Cadet Men, Cadette Women, Junior Men and Junior Women. The programme will provide Scotland's best young players with enhanced training, an extensive coaching programme and international competition opportunities.

basketballscotland has identified 64 players to participate in the programme, all of who have been performing at junior national level. The age group ranges from U/16 to U/18 and the programme will be co-ordinated by their respective National Coaches once appointed.

"sportscotland's Junior Group Lottery Award allows basketballscotland to continue the Talent Identification Programme launched in 2000", said Rodger Thompson, basketballscotland chief executive. "This extensive programme is now the cornerstone of basketballscotland's international activity and sportscotland's continued funding support has, and will continue to be, integral to this programme".

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: "sportscotland is delighted to work with basketballscotland in developing these talented young athletes. This is a great opportunity for young players to receive top class training at the formative stages of their basketball career, ensuring they develop to their maximum potential."

• The Junior Groups Programme provides the support to groups of talented young people participating in a co-ordinated programme of coaching and competitive events over a minimum period of six months.
• Those eligible to apply for support are governing bodies of sport through the National Programme and local authorities through the Regional Programme.
• Applications for the following costs are considered for funding: facility hire, coaching fees, accommodation, travel, equipment and competition entry fees.