Local basketball club storms away with new facilities

Dorset Storm Basketball Club has been operating since 1999 and the refurbishment of the existing facilities has not only enabled the team to continue to play in national league competitions, but has benefited team members with increased training, younger players now have access to the sport due to the installation of height adjustable practise basket nets. This has in turn increased the overall membership figures of the club by roughly 25 per cent.

Luke Kemish, head coach of Dorset Storm Basketball Club, said: ‘‘Thanks to the generous funding we received from Talbot Village Trust, we have been able to expand our offering of basketball coaching to the local community. Not only does the new equipment allow us to continue to enter competitions, but as a direct result we have already created an adult team and will shortly be launching a girls only session. This shows just some of the positive impact the money has had on basketball in Poole.

‘‘All club members and their families are extremely grateful to now have some of the best basketball facilities available to them. The club trustees also have highlighted how the funding has allowed the club to grow and maintain sustainability for the future.’’

Dorset Storm provides opportunities for young people aged eight to 18 to play basketball and has one of the largest basketball teams in the south. Training takes place at St Edward’s School in Poole.

Russell Lucas-Rowe, trustee, added: ‘‘The ethos of Talbot Village Trust is to provide financial support to projects which will have a wider effect on the local community. We believe that no scheme is too big or too small for consideration as long as it is a charity, place of worship or place of education.

‘‘Helping Dorset Storm fund the upgrade of their facilities has evidently encouraged more young people into the sport, due to the fact that the club has seen such a clear increase in membership figures. We are so pleased that this is the case and hope to help other similar causes in the future.’’

Talbot Village Trust meets biannually, and will be accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the trustees meet in spring next year.