SLAM JAM LAUNCHES ON TEESSIDE

A sports initiative has been launched in the area to encourage children aged 7-11 to try basketball with the offer of a FREE Goody Bag including ball, tee, cap and water bottle.

Slam Jam has been launched by the National Governing body; Basketball England in partnership with Teesside Lions.

The project, which is funded by Sport England, is an action-packed, six-week programme that aims to get children, aged 7-11 years-old, playing basketball for the first time.

Sessions are packed with games, competitions and activities.

Slam Jam is all about learning new skills, making amazing friends and of course, having lots of fun!

Coaches from Teesside Lions will run five Slam Jam sessions across the area on multiple days. Initially, children can access sessions in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar by booking the six week programme online.

Following this, children can then progress into the Lions club system with regular training sessions and opportunities to play league games from the age of 5.

Mike Diaper, Director of Children and Young People at Sport England stated: “We know that enjoyment is an essential ingredient in getting more children active, and ensuring they stay active into adult life. And that’s where Basketball can really shine. A quarter of children in England do not get the recommend levels of activity – that means we need to we find new ways of supporting these youngsters to get active. Slam Jam has the potential to do just that by ensuring the 7-11 year olds attending these sessions have early experiences of sport that are positive and packed full of fun.”

Over 1,000 children have already enjoyed the benefits of Slam Jam during a pilot period earlier this year, with 97% of participants saying they want to continue playing the game. Basketball England is aiming to introduce 180,000 new children to basketball through the programme, across the country.

The launch of Slam Jam is extremely topical, following research released last month by Sport England into the key motivating factors of children’s physical activity. Their research found that children’s activity levels increase if they are having fun, with children who are physically literate doing twice as much activity as those who are not.

The Slam Jam programme supports the government’s ongoing drive to increase the importance placed on physical exercise within primary schools.

Stewart Kellett, Basketball England CEO commented: “We’re delighted to launch what we believe is a huge step forward for the future of basketball in England. We’re proud that basketball is one of the most accessible sports, and Slam Jam will help us reach a significant number of children who are yet to play basketball. This goes beyond any participation programme we’ve done before and we’re looking forward to creating some life-long players and fans of basketball.”

As a key figure in bringing the Slam Jam programme to Teesside; James Thomson, the Chairman and one of the coaches at Teesside Lions, welcomes the initiative stating:

“I am pleased we can welcome so many young children to the club via Slam Jam. Well done to Basketball England and Sport England for producing a major initiative which will engage young children and lead to a surge in those wanting to play basketball.

“We have around 400 players within our club and while this fluctuates, the majority really enjoy our sessions and progress into our competitive pathways. We also have provision for those who simply want to enjoy recreationally.”

“Previous projects such as the outdoor basketball initiative and Sunny D 3v3 events of the 1990’s had an incredible impact on the sport and numbers of people picking up a ball. I am excited to be involved and support Slam Jam becoming an even bigger success story.”

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Stockton | Thursday
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Middlesbrough | Friday
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Stockton | Saturday
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Middlesbrough | Sunday
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Redcar | Tuesday
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For other age ranged sessions email Roar@TeessideLions.com