A BASKETBALL club with a base at Broadway Badminton Centre is travelling nicely and shooting to higher levels.

Ormskirk St Helens ‘Saints’ Basketball Club's development programme is progressing well, its senior team is aiming to play in a national league next season, new junior sessions are set to be introduced and pathways are in place tied in with education.

The club are looking for a flagship sponsor to get behind the men's team in Basketball England Division Three in the forthcoming season, while also helping to increase further interest in the sport within St Helens and surrounding areas.

Locally based ex-junior England players have been recruited for the team and confidence is high for a competitive season ahead.

St Helens Star:

Currently the club offers opportunities to play junior basketball at Edge Hill University and Broadway Badminton Centre, as well as running a basketball academy at Carmel College, which allows for talented players a sporting pathway alongside their education.

As the club has grown the junior players are now ready to step up and play senior basketball and the club wishes to support that desire.

Dominic O’Neill, the club's head coach, said: “Collectively we have worked hard to ensure an exciting provision of basketball at the participation and elite level for young people within our community.

"We have provided realistic exit routes for our players upon graduation whether it be playing in the USA or professionally in Europe.

"However we are wanting to develop something domestically for people to get behind and support."

The club are also starting a new junior basketball session at Broadway Badminton Centre and looking for players in secondary school years 7-11. Players should express interest in advance.

Any enquiries should be sent to club manager Mike Lea at info@saints-basketball.co.uk.