Above the Rim
Basketball Development Club
2014/2015
Welcome Pack
The aim of this pack is to provide parents, both new and existing with
information about the club, the coaching and what you and your children
can expect.
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About Us
Founder, John Mitchell - started the idea for Above the Rim Basketball - for years and
years John felt football was the priority sport to learn within Scotland; football clubs,
soccer centres; development classes - there wasn't much out there for anyone keen in
playing basketball. Working along side activeschools, John managed to make more of
a name for basketball within his local area - he spearheaded school competitions for
primary and secondary pupils on behalf of activeschools and went around as many
schools and took extra-curricular clubs to promote the game! Having done thorough
research and saw there was a huge space in the market for this type of club; this made
it possible for John to build his own Development Club.
Above the Rim Basketball Club aim to promote basketball in the local community,
bringing together boys and girls of all ages to participate and learn the key skills,
values and rules of the game. The club looks to encourage fun, sportsmanship, respect
for all and participation to learn the game and become the best player and person they
can be.
Above the Rim Basketball also having a senior playing squad named, North Lanarkshire
Titans. We look to build on our early success and having further boy and girls age
groups entering the Strathclyde League Basketball Association (SLBA) for the season
2015/2016.
Training
Community Clubs
We currently have several Development Community Clubs throughout North
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Lanarkshire, within Wishaw, Bellshill, Motherwell, Airdrie and Coatbridge. For further
details on the location, times and cost of these clubs – please visit
www.abovetherimbasketball.co for more information.
North Lanarkshire Titans
Our Senior Men’s club train several nights a week – for more information on training,
visit www.nltitans.co - get in touch if you’d like to join!
Meet the Club Officials
John Mitchell
- Senior Head Coach
John is qualified Level 2 basketball coach with great knowledge and vast experience coaching junior and
senior age groups in basketball - ranging from Primary School age through to High School age and our
very own Senior NL Titans team. John feels football is given the number one priority here in Scotland and
looks to give the opportunity to like-minded participants to play basketball in a fun, enjoyable
surrounding. John currently works along with Active Schools and DJ Sports Coaching Ltd - he is seen as
the No.1 Basketball coach in North Lanarkshire. With this title, John wanted to start his own Basketball
Club to give back to the community and looks to build on its early successes. Already the Community
Clubs are expanding rapidly and with our first NL Titans team confirmed, we certainly are "Reaching new
heights" in all areas of the club. John has built a huge reputation of being a fantastic coach and along
with his passion and determination and his wealth of experience is all an integral part to maintaining and
progressing Above the Rim Basketball Development Club.
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Darryl McGroarty
- Senior Assistant Coach
Darryl is a qualified Level 1 Basketball coach and is an integral part of Above the Rim Basketball
Development Club coaching team. Darryl’s passion for basketball started when he was a young boy, his
love of the game took off when he first he saw the movie ‘Space Jam’, a film featuring Basketball
Legend Michael Jordan - he was automatically hooked and his love of basketball blossomed from there.
The memory stayed with him all the way through his school years. Darryl feels this is one of the key
reasons why he won the 'Sports Comprehensive Award' for his year group, which has stood him in good
steed for his future within the game. Since leaving school he has attended Stirling University studying
Sports Science. Whilst studying, Darryl gained a wealth of experience and knowledge becoming a
qualified Sports Coach, coaching a range of other sports along with basketball. Darryl is also a qualified
Lifeguard with NL Leisure but nothing simply compares or measures up to his love of basketball. His
dedication, enthusiasm and will to learn and teach was the reason Senior Head Coach, John Mitchell
asked him to join Above the Rim and NL Titans Coaching team. An offer and opportunity he simply
couldn’t refuse. This opportunity allowed Darryl to continue to play the game, as he has joined North
Lanarkshire Titans Senior squad for the coming season. Darryl hopes to contribute by passing on his
expertise in the game to help make Above the Rim Basketball Development Club and North Lanarkshire
Titans one of the biggest development and playing clubs in Scotland bringing through new talent and
helping them reach the best of their ability!
Robyn Tierney
- Club Secretary
Robyn joined the Above the Rim Basketball team beginning of Spring 2014. Robyn is the principle
administrator for the club dealing with all club correspondence. With a lot of time and dedication
required for this role, Robyn has been an ideal fit for Above the Rim Basketball. The Club Secretary is a
pivotal role within the club and with the assistance of the Chairperson should provide the main points of
contact for people within and outside the club on just about every aspect of the club’s activities. It is a
demanding, high profile role that has a major impact on the efficient and effective management of the
club. Any off-court questions, Robyn is the person to see!
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Roles/Executive Committee
As with the majority of sports clubs, the club is run by volunteers. These people are players,
parents and coaches who give their time to ensure club members benefit. They administer the
club, conduct the coaching and transport club members to activities and games.
Chairperson
Club Secretary
John Mitchell
Robyn Tierney
Treasurer
Currently Vacant
Head Recruitment Coordinator
Darryl McGroarty
Child Protection Officers
Robyn Tierney & Darryl McGroarty
Media & Marketing Coordinator Currently Vacant
Club Photographer
Kaitlin Finnan
Junior Recruitment Coordinator
Currently Vacant
Parent Liaison
Currently Vacant
Parent Coordinating Group (PCG)
In addition to our Executive Committee we have a Parents Coordinating Group (PCG) that is
responsible for coordinating support activities for the club including:
If you are a parent or volunteer and you interested in supporting the club in a more direct way
outside of coaching please contact us using the form above or email Robyn Tierney at
[email protected] for more details.
Please note, one parent/volunteer will be chosen by the PCG to become an Executive Member
of the Committee, liaising between the PCG and Above the Rim Basketball – this role accounts
for one vote within the Executive Committee.
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- Agreeing and implementing water & fruit to be present at games and/or training sessions.
- Fund Raising activities (ie. Race Nights, Christmas Event, Quiz night etc)
- Organising raffles
- Parental engagement
- Other dealings as requested by the committee
Join the Team
If you are interested in becoming a part of a highly committed and driven coaching team,
volunteers or committee contact us today and ask about our vacant positions within the club –
as we look at “reaching new heights, together”. These people work hard for the club and any
assistance you can give them would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to find out more
or volunteer for one of the above positions please contact Robyn Tierney on 07805330865 or
email [email protected]
Coaching & Officiating
If you are interested in becoming a leader, coach or referee, basketballscotland run courses for
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each of these roles. Above the Rim will also run courses throughout the year regards to Positive
Coaching Scotland.
To find out more please contact basketballscotland on 0131 317 7260, or visit the Downloads
section of their Website, www.basketball-scotland.com. The club is able to assist with costs of
training – please see Head Recruitment Coordinator, Darryl McGroarty for assistance.
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Code of Conduct
Player Responsibilities
1. All players will treat officials and opponents with dignity and respect.
2. All players, regardless of ability and/or playing time are equal members of the team. Each and every
player will treat all teammates with acceptance, respect, and friendship.
3. All players will provide maximum effort in practice and games.
4. Attendance at all practices, team meetings, and games is mandatory. While injured players may be
unable to play, they are still expected to arrive on time, listen to coaches and encourage teammates and
assist the team.
5. In very rare situations, players may be excused from games and/or practices. When this occurs, players
are responsible for informing the coach verbally through a phone call or meeting at the earliest possible
time.
6. When players miss practices and/or games, playing time in future games may be affected.
7. Unexcused absences are absences in which the coach was not informed in the manner described
above. And/or the reason was for the absence is not satisfactory. An unexcused absence from practice
and/or game will result in the suspension of the player from the next game in which the player is eligible
to play.
8. Players are to be on time for all practices and games. Tardiness may affect playing time in games.
Chronic lateness may result in suspension of the player.
9. Players are expected to directly seek understanding and resolution when questions or problems arise
with coaches and teammates.
10. Players will conduct their personal lives in a manner that brings honour to themselves and the team.
Code of Conduct
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1. Play to win
2. Play fair, Observe the Rules of the Game
3. Respect Opponents, Teammates, Referees, Officials, and Spectators.
4. Accept Defeat with Dignity. Win with modesty and give credit to teammates.
5. Always promote the best interest of our Basketball Team and parent club Above the Rim Basketball
[Development Club].
6. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, and violence.
Coaching & Staff Responsibilities
1. Coaches and Club Officials are responsible to abide by the rules of conduct embodied in the spirit
of this document.
2. Coaches and Club Officials will balance individual growth, social development, and the acquisition
of basketball knowledge and skills in working with individual players and the team as a whole.
3. Coaches and Club Officials will train players to play with good sportsmanship and to abide by the
rules of the game.
4. Coaches and Club Officials will promote a positive atmosphere in all Above the Rim Basketball and
NL Titans activities.
5. Coaches and Club Officials will devote the time and skill necessary for the good of the team.
6. Coaches and Club Officials will push and challenge each player in the program to be the best they
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can be!
7. The coaching staff’s main goal is to get each player to play to their full potential and put each
player in a position to help the team to be successful.
8. Coaches and Club Officials will treat players, parents, officials, and opponents with respect.
Parent Responsibilities
1. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by
showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches,
officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
2. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach,
player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; verbal or physical threats;
or using profane language or gestures.
3. I will not engage, or encourage my child or any other person to engage, in any behavior which
would endanger the health, safety or well being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official
or any other attendee.
4. I will treat, and insure my child treats, any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other
attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,
game play or ability.
5. I will not initiate, and will not tolerate my child initiating a verbal or physical fight, abuse, negative
comments or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
6. I will not embarrass my child by calling attention to him/her through loud or rude behavior.
7. I will encourage my child to practice good sportsmanship.
8. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a
competition.
9. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of all the athletes ahead of any personal
desire I may have for my child to win.
10. I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or
confront coaches at the game, and will take time to speak with coaches privately at an agreed
upon time and place if I have an issue or concern.
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Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
At Above the Rim Basketball we want children and young people to stay safe and have fun
while taking part in basketball. Everyone involved in Above the Rim Basketball has a duty to
safeguard the welfare of all children in their care.
Above the Rim Basketball has made a commitment to promote safe practice and to protect
children from harm, abuse and exploitation. This duty extends to the prevention of physical,
sexual or emotional abuse of any child and shall be applied regardless of a child’s gender,
race, religion, sexuality or disability.
You can find out more about our child protection policy (2) or our code of conduct (found
within Welcome Pack download) or take a note of relevant contacts below should you need
them. For a more detailed pack on Above the Rim Basketball’s procedures with regards to
Child Protection on recruitment and training of staff and disciplinary procedures, please
contact our Child Protection Officer.
Our lead Child Protection Officer at Above the Rim Basketball is:
Name of Female Child Protection Officer: Robyn Tierney
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07805330865
Name of Male Child Protection Officer: Darryl McGroarty
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07548768146
For general help and advice you can contact: Safeguarding in Sport:
www.children1st.org.uk/what-we-do/our-services/search-our-services/safeguarding-in-sport
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NEED HELP NOW?
Where a child’s immediate safety isat risk contact the local police or social work department
for advice. Links tolocal services can be found:
www.children1st.org.uk/services/131/emergency-numbers
Member Guidelines
Above the Rim Basketball is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of
all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators
and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for
the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times
and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with
Robyn Tierney, Club Secretary.
As a member of Above the Rim Basketball you are expected to abide by the following club
guidelines:
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All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
•
All members must respect opponents.
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All members, parents and supporters will conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and
refrain from using language that is considered to give offense to others.
•
All members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform
their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
•
All members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the
coach/team manager.
•
All members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
•
Members are not allowed to take drugs of any kind (other than for medical purposes)
whilst representing the club.
•
Junior members are not allowed to smoke whilst representing the club at any
competitions.
•
Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol whilst representing the club.
In addition, basketballscotland’s Code of Conduct applies in all basketballscotland
events and competitions.
Medical & Contract Form
Name:
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Address:
Post Code:
Date of Birth:
Contact Number:
/
/
Mobile Tel:
Email Address:
Kit size:
Are you taking any medication? Yes/No. If yes, please state:
Do you suffer from any allergies e.g. peanut, penicillin? Yes/No. If yes, please state:
Do you have any specific Dietary requirements? Yes/No. If yes, please state:
Note below any further details you think the club should be aware of:
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