By Community Correspondent Roshini Fernando

For the first time in the school’s history, Lampton is sending a team to National Finals and that’s not all, right across all age groups Lampton’s basketball players are enjoying an unprecedented run of wins at borough level. They have been able to defeat their opponents; with skill, dedication and passion. Alan Keane, a Lampton School P.E teacher and their coach, has helped to drive the team to success.

There are three age categories in competitive basketball; the under fourteen’s, under sixteen’s and the under nineteen’s. Lampton is entered in both the under fourteen’s and the under sixteen’s divisions. The under fourteen’s have been triumphing in the borough league; Year 7’s won the league with nine straight games, Year 8’s won their division, also unbeaten and Year 9 lost only one game. They are sure to experience further victory, since they are striving to be the best.

The under-sixteen players, who have only been together for a mere two years, are thriving and have qualified for the play-offs at Nationals. As the first school team ever to go to Nationals, Mr.

Keane comments: “we have exceeded all expectations.” It is apparent for any onlooker that they function exceptionally well together because they all share the same desire to reach perfection. The team attend compulsory practices at lunch time and after school, but the members also sacrifice their free time to train even more, which shows their commitment. Leading talents, Shakir Rahim, Lewis Bailey and Hakim Nsubuga, have joined clubs outside of school in order to improve their game. Their skill, leadership qualities and their aspiration to achieve more led to the three players being called up to England trials and they will be attending a prestigious summer camp, called Pocono Invitational Camp, in America, where the standard is outstandingly high. Lewis Bailey said that he expects to “have a good experience, make important connections and become a better player”, after attending the four week-long camp.

So what makes the Lampton School Basketball team so successful? Mr. Keane thinks that a good player must be confident, coachable and able to develop their Basketball I.Q, by being one step ahead; this is demonstrated by the players who requested to have their training sessions recorded in order to improve their technique and consequently their chances of winning. Within the school, competition for team places is intense, with sixty to eighty pupils attending recruitment sessions. All new-comers are welcome to join the team but both the coach and the players made it clear that they will be, as a result of the high standards set by the current team, expected to work hard and be persistent and consistent with their attendance and effort, if they wish to do well. Even though the players are constantly refining their skills in basketball, they must be achieving off the court as well. Mr. Keane has established a culture where players are not only taught basketball but also valuable life skills; “Basketball is a powerful tool to help with education”, he explains. Players are encouraged to perform just as well academically as they do in the sport and if they don’t maintain their learning and behaviour, then the privilege of attending practice is revoked. This incentive has even helped to motivate the pupils to improve their grades and focus in school.

Shakir Rahim has applied his own motto: “you can do anything you set your mind to”, to both his team and his education. The players are seen as role models to the younger students and lead by example, they coach the lower years because of their love of the game and this has helped to develop their personal skills. It also may give them an opportunity to earn a coaching qualification. Mr Keane hopes to set up a Basketball academy where the players’ talent can be nurtured and where they are encouraged to reach their potential. It is likely to involve breakfast sessions and the talent that is identified will receive individual lessons in order to further enrich their playing.

The basketball team is a prime example of the successes of teenagers across Lampton School. These students rely on sheer determination and their willingness to succeed, and it has brought them this far – there’s no doubt that it will take them even further. The under sixteen’s will be facing Greig City Academy, a school from North London, and it will be the most important game that they have ever played for the school. The team has high hopes and the end of the next game should call for nothing but celebration!