With the new season set to start tomorrow for a number of our junior teams, we are looking forward to another exciting season of Rockets basketball across our Junior Performance Programme!
Players have been working incredibly hard during pre-season to prepare for the season ahead, with the junior coaching team working closely with their groups to implement their ideas for the upcoming campaign.
With all of our junior teams this season competing at the ‘Premier’ level, the selection process was more difficult than ever for our junior coaching team with lots of talent on display during our annual junior trials event.
We caught up with team coaches for their thoughts and looked forward to the season ahead…
Under 14 Boys
Our Under 14 Boys will once again be led by talented youth coach, Matt Gaskell.
Coach Gaskell came through the youth programme at Rockets as a player and now coaches at our elite academy at BMet College alongside leading the Under 14 group.
He is back for a third season at the helm of this age group and is looking forward to leading the team into another successful year.
He said: “We have a pretty new team this year with only a couple of players returning from last year’s premier squad.
“For most of the players, it is their first time playing at this level which is exciting for them and me.
“I’m really pleased with the strides we have made in the preseason and we are ready for the season to start.
“As a group we have high expectations this year, now it’s up to the players and coaching staff to exceed those expectations!”
Under 14 Girls
The Rockets Under 14 Girls enjoyed a fantastic year in 2023/24.
In the team’s first year, the group won eight of their ten league fixtures, accumulating a basket difference of +419, as they earned promotion to the Northern Premier division in impressive style.
This season is sure to pose a different challenge for the girls with a higher level of competition, but it is nothing the team aren’t looking forward to embracing and learning from in the year ahead.
Head Coach Amina Mahamud said, “The U14 Girls had a successful 23/24 season that came with a promotion into the Northern Prem, which comes with a different group to compete with that we look forward to facing.
“During the off-season and pre-season, developing our individual abilities and team chemistry were important.
“Our aims are simple; work hard and have fun while doing so.”
Under 16 Boys
Coach Afonso Tavares is returning to lead the Under 16 Boys Premier team, and is targeting another visit to the post-season playoffs with another talented group of players.
The team achieved a third placed finish in last season’s Northern Premier with coach targeting another positive year in 2024/25.
With a number of new players joining the group this season, the players have been working hard to gel as a team as they look to find the consistency required to make a post-season push.
Coach Afonso said: “This U16 team this season is a very hardworking and humble group, they are always ready to learn something new every practice, and it’s always a competitive one.
“If we are consistent regarding energy and intensity, we can get far on this season and our main aspiration is the playoffs.”
Under 16 Girls
The Under 16 Girls will be led by GB Maxi Basketball player and Rockets women’s assistant, Coach Lee Clark.
A new addition to our junior coaching staff, Coach Clark has quickly brought in to the Rockets ethos and club culture since joining us earlier in the summer.
The team have embraced his coaching style and Coach Clark is looking forward to a successful year of growth and development with his talented group.
He said, “This group of smart, strong and driven players have been an inspiration to me throughout our summer programme and preseason.
“Playing for our city means everything to them and representing Rockets this season will be full of proud moments they can share with each other, their families, their friends and our wider fan base.
“One thing I know I can count on as their coach is a high work rate on defence – it’s a pleasure to watch them use our defence as a form of attack against other teams.
“We aim to play with real fire and I can’t wait to see how this translates to growth as individuals and as a team as the season progresses.”
Under 18 Men
Coach Ricardo D’Alva is back to coach the Under 18 Premier side this season.
Competing in the Western Premier, the new-look team will be looking to make an impact this season as they look to benefit from the increased training time afforded to them by being based at our elite academy at BMet College.
With a number of last year’s core graduating from the programme at the end of last season, Coach D’Alva will be looking to count on his experienced returnees to help integrate those joining another one of our extremely talented junior sides.
Looking ahead to the new season, he said: “This season, we have many new players, but a few key returners will be important leaders, sharing their experience with the younger ones.
“We have plenty of potential and room to grow together.
“As a coach, I’m committed to bringing my best to help the players achieve their goals, both individually and as a team.
“With hard work, humility, and determination, I believe we can accomplish great things, one game at a time. So, I’m very excited.”
Click here to keep track of our team’s progress this season!