Manchester Giants have agreed a partnership with the long established Xaverian College that will see local students get the chance to take part in intensive basketball development with the Giants alongside their academic studies.
The sixth form college, founded in 1862 is just one and a half miles from the National Basketball Performance Centre (NBPC), where students will train in the afternoons with Giants coaches after spending their mornings on their studies.
The partnership emphasises academic achievement as much as sporting excellence, and Jamie Edwards believes the club has the opportunity to bridge the gap between junior basketball and the BBL team.
“As soon as I met Martin Kilroy, Head of Sport and the Senior Leadership Team, I knew with Xaverian we could co-create and develop the relationship between an elite basketball academy, academics and life skills that can be applied beyond the sporting arena,” said Edwards.
“We both believe that a young person shouldn’t have to choose between a profession and being a top basketball player.”
Xaverian College principal Tony Knowles, echoed his comments, adding, “I am very excited about the opportunity to work alongside the Manchester Giants. Our ethos at Xaverian is the same as Jamie’s; that students aspire to excellence in all that they do, and that they are offered every chance to be able to achieve those goals. We are looking forward to a great partnership.”
Alongside the Xaverian courses and basketball offered, the proximity to the National Basketball Centre will offer students the opportunity for a number of other initiatives such as a Drum line, Dance Team and work experience opportunities for those interested in sports marketing and event management.
“We’re envisioning this being much deeper than an elite basketball experience,” elated Edwards. “We want the Xaverian students to experience what “IAMGIANT” means on the court, in industry, and in education.
“It’s currently being brought to life by the team, there’s an energy about how they are going about being in Manchester.”
Courses start in September 2021. and more information can be found at http://www.xaverian.ac.uk/manchester-giants-academy/.