YORK Vikings Junior Basketball Club have launched a new Academy aimed at helping youngsters grow "physically, mentally and emotionally".

The Vikings already have a thriving junior section, which includes players from all over Yorkshire and strong links with York College's basketball development centre, and this new move is part of the club's own development.

The Academy will be launched at the Vikings' annual general meeting at Next Generation on Hull Road, on Sunday, September 10, and will have its first season under the new guise when the 2006-07 campaign tips off.

It is for players at Under-15s and U16s level, and offers the following mission statement: "To provide for each Academy member a programme of basketball related activities that will develop for each member opportunities to grow physically, mentally and emotionally in a caring and supportive environment."

The Academy is effectively a centre of excellence, requiring significant player commitment, high levels of fitness, a more competitive environment, and emphasis on coaching and officiating qualifications. It also directly feeds North Yorkshire and Yorkshire teams.

The Vikings already have six teams from U12s through to U18s playing National League basketball.

The U12s "foundation" level is for those entering the sport and teaches basic skills and fundamentals, while the U13-U14 "development" level concentrates on personal skills, focus and commitment, and building teamwork and tactics. This, too, feeds North Yorkshire and Yorkshire teams.

After the Academy, the club offers an U18s "tertiary" level, which runs in partnership with York College development centre and brings an experienced playing standard and further emphasis on coaching and officiating qualifications.

Each age group is led by a qualified coach (EB Level 2 or above), assisted by qualified assistantcoaches and a parent group. The head coach, and club chairman, is the well-respected Dave Smith.

Basketball is a massive game in America but is still considered a relatively minor sport in England, albeit one which is growing especially among teenagers.

The Vikings club was set up with several goals, many of which overlap personal development away from the court.

A statement from the club says it:

Encourages young people to engage in a fast-moving team game played mainly indoors, with training sessions in the evenings and at weekends.
Is good for their health, as it requires high levels of fitness and agility.
Enourages fast thinking and decision making.
Develops skills in working as part of a team.
Promotes the development of friendships among young people from a wide range of schools.
Provides the opportunity for young people to give something back to their community by supporting them in gaining coaching qualifications through the Vikings' coaching scheme.
Emphasises responsibility, fair play and respect for officials by providing players with the opportunity to train as referees and table officials.
Promotes family involvement, and is a way for parents and young people to work together.
Parents are encouraged to contribute to the running of the club and match-day organisation.
Provides young people with an opportunity to meet contemporaries from other parts of the country as it participates in the Junior National Basketball League.

The Vikings club, which has already achieved Active Club Mark accreditation from Sport England, play in a variety of venues around York, including Archbishop Holgate's School, Bootham School and York College, which is also their home venue.

Basketball camps are also held at Huntington and Oaklands Schools.

Anyone wanting further details should look up the website www.yorkvikings.co.uk or contact Dave Smith on 01904 431161.