Basketball Academy
Harris Federation Basketball Academy
Welcome to the Harris Federation Basketball Academy. We are very happy to be able to provide our students this opportunity to excel in one of the fastest growing and most exciting sports in the country.
The aim of our Basketball Academy is to provide a pathway for our student athletes that aspire to play basketball at the very highest level that they can possibly achieve. Our student athletes will be committed to their own personal development both on and off the court and will excel in the classroom and in life as well as they do on the basketball court.
Our coaching staff have decades of professional playing and coaching experience both domestically and abroad in Europe as well as in the USA, having helped developed players who themselves are now playing professionally in the BBL, professionally in Europe or at college in the USA. Our staff have put together a comprehensive training program that will enable every athlete at our basketball academy to push themselves to the next level. Team practices, small group sessions and one to one coaching will ensure we get the very best progress from all of our players.
At our basketball academy the student athlete comes first. Individual development and providing opportunities on and off the court for our athletes will be at the forefront of everything we do.
Domestic Competition
Something for everyone. We will have two teams competing in domestic competitions, providing playing opportunities for all of our students. Starting in the U19 ABL this season we aim to move up to the EABL in future years, based only on our on court performance. For our junior players or those not yet ready for the ABL/EABL, we will also be entering the National Schools competitions. We will also be able to provide U18 National League Club basketball for our students through our partnership with the Harris Federation Knights, playing regular fixtures every weekend.
European Exposure
We will be entering an Academy select team annually into an U18 European Tournament. This tournament features some of the top junior clubs in their respective countries, with direct links to their respective professional clubs. This is good exposure and experience for any player thinking of playing Pro in Europe, post the Basketball academy.
USA Exposure
For any of our students that have the aspiration, ability and attitude (AAA) to make it to the US for College Basketball we will be able to help provide AAU playing opportunities out in the US during the critical summer NCAA recruitment period. In addition we will look to help place our (AAA) players that have successfully completed their A-Levels or vocational subjects with us, into Post Graduate Basketball Programs in the USA wherever possible. There will also be other opportunities as and when they arise with US Coaches coming to the UK on scouting trips hosted by our Basketball Academy.
Coaching & Officiating
All of our student athletes will be given the opportunity to undergo training that will give them professional qualifications in coaching and officiating basketball. These qualifications can later be used by our students to pursue an alternative career within the game of basketball or could simply add a new dimension to a student’s CV when applying for University post basketball academy.
We are currently in the process of recruiting players for the 2020-21 season into our academy. If you would like more information about this or any of the above then please do not hesitate to contact us.
L McCarthy: lee.mccarthy@greenhousesports.org
Basketball Head coach, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
D Buss: bussd@harriscrystalpalace.org.uk
Director of Sport, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
Sports Academies at Harris Sixth Form - Expression of Interest