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Basketball club scores another award
A Leigh youngster is bouncing after winning
a top basketball award.
Martin Buckley has been named Young Volunteer of the Year by England
Basketball, the governing body for the sport in this country.
The 18 year-old was recognised for his voluntary work at Westleigh
Basketball Club. He coaches the club’s under-15 Westleigh Whirlwinds
side and the Wigan Borough Greater Manchester Youth Games under-13 Girls
team. Martin picked up his award at the England Basketball Volunteer
Recognition Awards, held in Birmingham earlier this month.
Martin says: “I was shocked and over the moon to win it. The award was
open to coaches under the age of 23 and I think the judges were
impressed by the about of time and effort I put into the sport at my
age. As one of the older members of the club I think it’s important for
me to be a role model to the younger players. I really enjoy the
responsibility and I hope the experience I’m getting just now will
enable me to coach full-time in the future.”
Martin plays for the Westleigh Basketball Club under-18 National League
side and is currently undertaking a BTEC National Diploma in Sport at
Wigan and Leigh College. Basketball is now his passion in life but prior
to joining the Westleigh side he had hardly played before.
He adds: “I started going to the club when I was 15. At the time, I was
a lot more into football but one of my mates kept nagging me to go with
him so I did. I enjoyed it so much I quit football and starting going to
basketball regularly.
“It has had a big impact on my life. I have got qualifications, made new
friends, developed my skills and grown massively in confidence. I’d like
to say a big thank you to Sharon Seaton, for being a great role model,
and to my parents for all their support.”
The award is the latest success for Westleigh Basketball Club. The team
won Club of the Year at the 2006 Wigan Borough Sports Awards, while
Sharon Seaton was named Coach of the Year. Sharon also won the Greater
Manchester Coach of the Year Award for 2006.
Head Coach Sharon said, “Martin hasn’t played basketball for very long
but he thoroughly deserves this recognition. All the young people
involved with the club will do whatever is asked of them but we
nominated Martin because he is actually proactive and always looking for
things to do. We’re all very proud of him. What this shows is that our
voluntary programme works and that young people do actually benefit from
it.”
Anyone interested in playing or coaching at Westleigh Basketball Club
should get in touch with Sharon Seaton on 07734 962627.
-ends-
Notes to Editors
• For further information please contact Kennedy Stewart, Young People’s
Press Officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on (01942) 486927.
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