Merton Hawks U12 Update 25.02.11

On Friday 25th February 2011, a group of players from Merton Hawks Under12, Under 14 and Under 16 team went up to city hall to promote Basketball Week. As one of four adults accompanying this group I have to say that I was very proud of the way they behaved all the way there, during the event, and all the way back home. Two of the players wrote their take on the day and this is how it went ;

NBA Week Trip

On Friday 25^th of February the Merton Hawks went to London Bridge to take part in some drills and games in front of a camera. The setting was very simple, just a bit of concrete and there was a hoop on the back of an NBA pickup truck. To be honest we all thought it was very budget but it was adequate to do layups and play killer with.

    Some members of the team were filmed dribbling around and doing skills, and some were interviewed for Newsround and CNN. The mayor Boris Johnson was even there!   

    Even though everyone was expecting something a bit more impressive, it was very enjoyable. But I think the only reason everyone went was because we got free NBA week T-shirts, were on T.V, and got free NBA tickets to the Raptors V Nets game!

Thanks to Reece for his input on the day.

Another player who captured the day was Jayden.

On 25^th February 2011, Merton Hawks’s club consisting of U16’s, under 14’s and under 12’s, age groups went to the Mayors office in London to celebrate basketball week. We played plenty of games, including, killer (a basketball game). We also were doing many drills, lay-ups, jump shots, chest passing and bounce passing. Some people got interviewed featuring two under 12’s Reece and I. Boris Johnson came and he also was interviewed. After he decided to take a shot from the free throw line, he took ages…. But he got there in the end. Also, Ricky from newsround took a shot from the free throw line, it took awhile too for him to get it in. We all thank Lee (head coach), Warren (Under 16’s coach) and TJ’s mum for taking us to the event.

 As well as going to the event, everyone who participated got free tickets to the Nets v Raptors game. 

I would like to think that our guys did this session more because of their love of basketball, but I have to admit that the added bonus of NBA tickets was a winner. Although the day started out grey, as you can see from the picture the sun came through for the boys and girls of the Merton Hawks Basketball team. If anyone as not seen the Newsround report I have a copy and will try to edit it onto the blog at a later date.