Kennet Basketball announce open trials as club expands
A local basketball club is expanding and is on the lookout for new players.
Kennet Basketball was founded in 2018 and has been growing steadily ever since.
They run boys and girls teams for a wide range of age groups, and currently have around 110 school age members.
For founder Doug Bonnar, the club is a product of a lifelong passion for the sport.
“There’s always been a club in Newbury,” he explained.
“When I came here over thirty years ago, there was Northcroft Basketball Club.
“Over the years it’s evolved and changed.
“We had a side in Hungerford who almost won the Wessex League.
“But throughout all that time I wanted to set something up for kids.
“Both of my parents played, which was quite a weird thing for the time.
“I was brought up on the side of a court.
“We set up a new club with the onus on the children.”
Kennet Basketball has been growing for years, fuelled by the enthusiasm of their players and coaches.
“Back in 2018 we had eleven kids,” Bonnar reflected.
“We’ve now got over 110.
“We now have a men’s team with around fifteen members, and we’re hoping to put another men’s team into the league, for the older boys aged 16 and 17.
“The kids just get better and better, and we’ve made it more of a competitive club for the older kids.
“We’re now putting teams into the national league at three different levels, which we’ve never done before.”
Kennet will operate National Basketball League sides at U12, U14 and U16 levels next season.
To boost their membership alongside this, they’re running open trials for all three age groups on May 10th.
“The National League is very competitive,” he said.
“There are some serious clubs out there, sides from the Solent, Reading, London.
“Most U12s don’t have experience of the sport.
“So we’re just looking for kids who are fast, can catch a ball, and are coachable.”
The trials will take place on Saturday 10th May at Newbury College and begin at midday.
An enjoyable afternoon is in store for the youngsters, with a range of activities lined up.
“We’ll have about half an hour dedicated to drills, just to get an idea of ability,” he explained.
“Passing drills, shooting drills, then we let them play and see how they get on.
“There will be plenty of fun for the younger kids.
“We want to make sure it’s a fun and relaxed experience, that’s how children learn.
“There’s no pressure at all.”
Kennet is a non-profit club run entirely by volunteers.
The club has six Level 2 qualified coaches, with another two due to qualify soon.
All of their coaches are DBS checked and have the appropriate Basketball England safeguarding qualifications.
For further information and to apply for a place at the trials, contact enquiries@kennetbasketball.net
