| Eagles Community FoundationThe Eagles are committed to working with the local community. In 2006 the Eagles launched the Eagles Community Foundation (ECF). The main aim of the organisation is to grow levels of sustainable basketball particiaption in Tyne and Wear and South East Northumberland, predominantly throught the following programmes of activity:
The Hoops for Health programme is an introductory scheme, involving Eagles and Team Northumbria players in a healthy living promotional programme with 120 primary schools across the Tyne and Wear every year. Year 5 and 6 participants in the scheme are encouraged to attend one of nearly 20 satellite juniors clubs set up or supported by the scheme across Tyne and Wear and South East Northumberland.
Once involved in a club environment the growing base of club players are part of a family of clubs driven by ECF development officers and community coaches, of which there are currently 10 full time staff and 15 part time staff. The structure is set up to develop clubs and opportunities for volunteers to gain qualifications in coaching, refereeing and table officialling at their respective clubs.
Each club is expected to enter teams into the Eagles Tyne and Wear Central Venue League, operating at U12, U14, U16 and U20 age groups at central locations every Saturday across the playing season. The CVL has now been in operation for 4 years and is growing every year.
For those who aspire to reach the next level in the sport, Newcastle Eagles have launched a School of Excellence and are operating boys national league teams at Under 15, Under 16 and Under 18 in the England Basketball national leagues. girls programmes are also growing linking into the Team Northumbria national league programme.
From this point juniors who show development potential are encouraged to move into the Elite programmes linked to Team Northumbria at higher education level and Newcastle and Gateshead Colleges at further education level.
Participation is however the key to all programmes and the growth in junior clubs over the past 5 years is now beginning to have an impact on regional senior participation, as a wave of players staying the game continue to play in the regional senior leagues.
The programme is also responsible for developing the provision in curriculum time at primary and secondary school level. At primary school level the Hoops for Health programme is a key driver in developing participation and exit routes into clubs for 10 and 11 year olds. The programme is also extending its delivery in curriculum time across a large number of secondary schools in Tyne and Wear.
ECF also have a programme of half term and summer camps and clinics that run throughout the year. Camps are delivered by Eagles players and the community team.
If you want to get REALLY involved in the sport the opportunities are there - contact Sam Blake at the ECF - s.blake@eaglescommunityfoundation.com
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Next Home Match
Friday, 26th September, 2008
VTip-Off 7.30pm Guildford Heat
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