Wolves forms partnership with Essex Leopards

The Basketball Academy has formed a partnership with Levett Essex Leopards.

Oaklands College Basketball Academy are delighted to announce an agreement with Levett Essex Leopards to form an exciting partnership over the coming years for elite player development.

The partnership will allow Oaklands Academy player’s opportunities to compete at the highest levels of senior competition, whilst supporting the Big Cats with elite youth players.

The Leopards will benefit by utilising the outstanding basketball facilities as well as the world class coaching development at Oaklands College. The Essex side will continue to play out of their home at Brentwood & Harlow, looking to add the Wolfpack to their current fan base.

Off the back of the under-18s winning the NBDL National Championships last weekend, Oaklands will now have a complete competitive pathway. The academy program can now offer opportunities in Division One, the EABL, under-18 NBL and the NBDL (Division Four)

Leopards’ General Manager Dave Ryan said: “We’re delighted to be working with Oaklands, and excited about the possibilities it brings both organisations. They have some fantastic facilities which can help us immensely, and although we’ll continue to have one session a week in London during 2016/17 we believe that a massive upgrade in practice facilities will be a real benefit.

“We’ve always wanted to work with a qualify junior set-up and showed in 2012 – when we won the treble – that it’s possible to combine the best senior players in the area with talented youngsters who can provide key back-up and develop their game.

“Evan [Walshe] showed with us this season that he could be an important member of our side, and we hope we can develop more players for the junior national teams.”

Oaklands Wolves Basketball Director Michael Ball said: “This is a hugely significant agreement for the Academy. It will enable every one of our current and future male performance players to access the appropriate playing opportunity at the weekend. I want to thank Essex Leopards for agreeing to work with us to develop talented British players.”

Leopards’ coach Steve Ogunjimi is also delighted to with the new partnership: “I’m very happy to be working with Oaklands. It’s a perfect opportunity for both the club and the players.”

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