Wolves are first to implement scheme

3:00pm Friday 23rd May 2008

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WORCESTER Wolves' British Basketball League partnership with Worcester Sixth Form College has been approved as the first providers for the AASE Basketball scheme.

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence is in conjunction with England Basketball and funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

It will enable students aged 16 to 18 to continue their education while carrying on their basketball development.

The college have already established a successful AASE programme in rugby union with Worcester Warriors.

Wolves' director of basketball Mick Donovan said: "We have a vibrant community programme that is led by our head coach Skouson Harker and currently visit over 50 schools throughout the year.

"Within the club, coach education is a key theme. We are soon about to publish our Learning Through Sport' learning aids for primary schools nationally.

"The AASE initiative seems like a natural progression. We have fantastic support from the school of sport and exercise science at the university who can give the youngsters at the sixth form college an enhanced understanding within the discipline."

England Basketball chief executive Keith Mair said: "We are very pleased to see the initiative of the Worcester Wolves rewarded in this way, a first for basketball in England.

"We sincerely hope their efforts will be emulated by other progressive English basketball clubs."

Wolves, who will be delivering the programme in collaboration with the University of Worcester, have a proven record of promoting sport and education.

Wolves have teams in the BBL, English Basketball League Division Four and the under 18 and under 14 national leagues.

The AASE players will have the opportunity to represent the academy at the sixth form college and the Wolves Under 18s nationally.

There will be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to join the academy to take part in an open run with Harker on Wednesday at the university sports centre at 2pm.