On Friday evening, our basketballers represented South Tyneside in the Champion of Champions Regional Finals at the Vertu Motor Arena in Newcastle.  Despite losing our first game, our players showed a lot of character to respond and claim amazing team silver medals!

Victories over New Deleval ( Northumberland), Glynwood (Gateshead) and Preston Grange (North Tyneside) set up a Champion of Champions final against Gosforth Junior Academy (Newcastle) one of the largest primaries in the north east.

Our children were not overawed by playing in front of 3500 spectators or taking on the talented Gosforth school; who had previously won all their games by big margins. Instead we had lots of good possession and took the game to them for the majority of the match creating several chances. However, it wasn’t to be as the Gosforth star player hit 2 outstanding shots from difficult positions to help his school claim the title.

One hundred and seventy two teams were involved in the Hoops4health north east tournament this year, so to become District Champions, then reach the Champion of Champions Grand Final was an incredible achievement.

I was bursting with pride for our players, especially for the skill and personality they showed in the Grand final against Gosforth. The whole squad have developed as both players and people throughout the basketball season.

Meanwhile, it was truly uplifting to see the brilliant support from our St. Bede’s community who travelled to Newcastle to support our children on their exciting sporting journey!