Basketballers Prepare for London 2012

NEW College gave their help to London 2012 organisers this week and last.  The centre hosted two England Basketball Apprentice referee courses over two days for aspiring referees who are currently in Years 11, 12 and 13.

Students from NEW College and schools within The 5-Towns School Sport Partnership jumped at the chance to work with Leeds Carnegie player and Community Coach Pawel Szafraniec who put them all through their paces, and showed them what top referees need to make the grade. Pawel is currently on course to referee in the National Leagues this year and aims to retire from playing to achieve this aim.

London 2012 organisers are working closely with the government and Youth Sport Trust to engage young leaders in sport, and give as many students as possible the chance to gain coaching and leadership qualifications in Olympic events. NEW College student Josh Barraclough said about the course, ‘I’m currently doing the Higher Sports Leaders Award at college and this course has strengthened my range of leadership skills and qualifications. I’m hoping to get chosen as a volunteer at the Olympics, and this will be going on my application form for that’.

To gain experience, students will get the opportunity to show off their new skills refereeing the British Colleges of Sport fixtures on Wednesdays. They have also been asked by Steve Greatorex to help table referee for the Wakefield Whirlwinds Disabled Basketball Club based at Minsthorpe Community College.