The nation’s newest BBL team is making County Durham businesses an offer it hopes will prove too good to refuse.
With a goal of raising £10,000 for club development, the Wildcats, based at Durham County Council’s Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, will introduce ten thousand local youngsters to the sport.
The club is looking for 20 County Durham firms to invest £500 each and in exchange the business will be an official match sponsor and get to nominate a local school.
The school will then benefit from a week of expert coaching from the team’s senior players, along with an opportunity to play on match night and be part of the team’s match night preparations.
It’s a scheme which aims to give the club the funds it needs to develop, while offering the next generation of home grown talent the chance to shine.
Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development at Durham County Council, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to see businesses in County Durham help support and foster excellence in schools, while obviously raising their own profile at the same time.
“£10,000 will see 10,000 youngsters introduced to basketball and 20 schools benefit from a week of coaching at top level.
“The Wildcats offer us as a county the chance to showcase home grown talent on a world stage and closer to home they have pledged to support pathways to excellence.
“I am delighted to support their campaign.”
Wildcats coach, Dave Elderkin, says the club’s school engagement programme is always a slam dunk success.
“Without exception all the pupils enjoy learning the skills and work very hard to master the game. They really love working with the senior Wildcats players,” he said.
“We concentrate on teaching passing, shooting and dribbling skills and introduce 3 on 3 basketball, making it as much fun as possible.
“We also put together festivals for schools within their clusters and offer youngsters opportunities to play in front of a live audience before our own competitive Wildcat BBL games.”
Businesses interested in taking part in the scheme can call Richard Warburton, Wildcats operations manager, on 0191 334 4737 or email [email protected]
■ Pictured is (L–R) Chris Pearce/Wildcats, Christopher Jones 9, Leon Patel, 7,Cllr Neil Foster/Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, Ethan Hancock, 10, and Mario Flaherty/Wildcats.