NEWS RELEASE_______________________________________ ____________________________
March 2014
Hundreds of North Ayrshire pupils put on showcase of Basketball for the
Glasgow Rocks
On Tuesday 4th March, Glasgow Rocks players Gareth Murray, Fran Urli, Patrick Manifold and Chris
Johnson made the journey to Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs to witness a basketball
master class from over 400 North Ayrshire pupils. Thirteen local primary schools came together to
show off their skills to the professionals and win the chance to play on the Glasgow Rocks home
court on Sunday 23rd March.
After a full day of competition and a very high standard of basketball on show 4 teams stood out
above the rest. Teams from St Anthony’s, Hayocks, Brisbane and St Mary’s proved too strong, but
with the overall standard of skill on show the future of basketball in North Ayrshire looks to be a
prosperous one.
The successful running of the festival would not have been possible without the support of the
Scottish Governments CashBack for Communities scheme, North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs
Partnership who part fund the initiative and the continued support of North Ayrshire Active Schools.
CashBack provides diversionary and participatory activities for young Scots and is funded by money
taken from the proceeds of crime. North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership is a proud sponsor
of the Jump2it programme in the area and Mark Gallagher, Lead Officer from the organisation
attended yesterday’s tournament to hand out the days prizes.
Working closely with Active Schools the Jump2it programme has allowed for stronger links to be
established with participation basketball sessions which they are involved in the running of. A large
number of participants from the Jump2it programme have already been attending each week.
Speaking with regards to the talent on show at the festival, Glasgow Rocks professional Gareth
Murray noted:
“It’s great to see so many youngsters playing basketball and having fun while doing so. I have been
very impressed with the talent on show and I hope me and my teammates have been able to inspire
those pupils to make healthier lifestyle choices and continue their involvement in the sport.”
For media enquiries and further information please contact, Katie Drain, Jump2it Coordinator, on
07920163187 or 0141 218-4640 and at [email protected].
Notes to Editors:
Participating Schools:
Ardeer Primary
Caledonia Primary
Glencairn Primary
Hayocks Primary
St John’s Primary
St Anthony’s Primary
St Mary’s Primary
Brisbane Primary
Skelmorlie Primary
Cumbrae Primary
Mayfield Primary
Fairlie Primary
Kelburn Primary
Jump2it:
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Jump2it is a health and citizenship led primary schools programme designed to
improve the knowledge of young people by promoting increased physical activity
and exercise while highlighting the risks of poor diet, smoking and drug and alcohol
abuse.
Jump2it is co-ordinated by the charity, Scottish Sports Futures, and seek to
encourage young people to engage in sport and physical activities as a way of
bringing about positive behavioural change and active citizenship. The organisation
uses basketball as a positive diversionary medium for introducing young people,
especially those living in disadvantaged communities, to sport and healthy living.
These issues are tackled in an entertaining and interactive manner with Glasgow
Rocks professional basketball players delivering the initial content in the schools.
The Glasgow Rocks are Scotland's only professional basketball team. The Rocks
compete in the British Basketball League (BBL) at the state of the art Emirates Arena.
The programme aims to widen opportunities for sustained participation by
establishing new basketball clubs and enhancing existing club and league structures
throughout Scotland.
CashBack for Communities
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The Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme uses the ill-gotten
gains of crime, recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and invests them
back into communities across Scotland.
Projects range from diversionary sporting activity to long-term potentially lifechanging intervention projects, which aim to turn an individual’s life around and
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provide them the opportunity of a positive destination such as employment
education or volunteering.
Money is provided to support a wide range of sporting, cultural, educational and
mentoring activities for younger children and young people aged 10-19years.
Since its launch in 2007, over £50 million has been invested in this way, allowing
young Scots to participate in a wide range of positive activities in their communities.
CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which takes funds
recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and
programmes for young people across Scotland.
CashBack for Communities is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Safer, Stronger
and Healthier Scotland.
More information can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/cashback
All free and open to all CashBack activities can be found at www.youngscotwow.org