A local couple have just opened a new basketball hub on the Stamford-Rutland border with the support of Stamford and Rutland-based businesses and passionate supporters.

Stamford Junior Knights are a non-profit, volunteer led Basketball Club for children in Stamford, Rutland and the surrounding area.

Married duo, Jordane and Adam, set up Stamford Junior Knights in 2019 after Adam, inspired by a bout of anxiety and depression, picked up a basketball following a hiatus from the sport. 

The club welcomes players aged 8 - 14. Image credit: Stamford Knights.

Their two sons, Finn and Seth, were also encouraged to have a go, but found that they had nowhere to practice with their dad. As such, Jordane encouraged Adam to go for his Level 2 coaching qualifications and set up a weekly session at Borderville Sports Centre, building a junior section to the already established senior Stamford Knights team. This was the beginning of Stamford Junior Knights. 

Since then, the sessions have grown from 10 participants once a week at the Stamford-based sports centre, to multiple sessions catering for nearly 130 kids from 8 to 18 years old at their new home at Casterton Road Business Park. 

The facilities are new and offer a safe space to learn and develop new skills. Image credit: Nub News.

This new facility opened in early March, Adam working on the build while holding down his day job with the National Grid. 

His employers kindly sponsored a fleet of new basketballs, alongside Stamford Town Council earlier this year to enable the club to start a girls only session. 

The kit and basketballs have been sponsored by local groups, businesses and employers. Image credit: Nub News.

Adam said: "We are so grateful to all of our sponsors and supporters who have helped make this possible. 

"Every penny the club has made has gone back into improving and building our facility. It has been a huge team effort. Mark Johnstone, of Sonic Security, fitted our security system and Andy Hart, of AR Signs did our signage, both of these are member of the senior team and were incredibly generous with their help. Local firms, Raw Architecture, Aloha Foods and MW Edwards Groundworks sponsored our Squires kit. Even the seniors pitched in and funded the over 14's kit. 

Coach Chris enjoying training. Image credit: Stamford Knights.

Adam added: "Kits costs about £700 for a set of 12, but it's important. I want the kids to feel good on the court."

The club officially opened on Saturday 11 March and is inviting more volunteer coaches to join the thriving team, with the hope that there will eventually be enough support that coaches can take multiple groups out to compete each weekend.

On top of this, they are hoping to host more sessions during the week, as well as instigating new basketball clubs and teams for disabled players, and a senior or walking group. 

Duncan, Jordane and Adam opening the club on Saturday morning. Image credit: Stamford Knights Basketball.

Adam said: "This is a mammoth project and the reward is that you get to see these kids play and thrive each week. 

"We cater for everyone. We have some great players, but we also want to give all of the players a chance, so everyone gets to play on a 4 minute rotation system. 

"We certainly aren't winning all of our games, but on Sunday 5 March the under-11s won in Cambridge in the Central Venue League. I feel this comes down to developing a strong team attitude."  

It is clear that this project has scratched an itch, as the sessions are already fully subscribed, with a waiting list of young people keen to join the popular initiative. 

Read on to find out how you can sign up. Image credit: Stamford Knights.

As such, down the line Adam is keen to set up a similar league in Stamford. 

Adam said: "We had a waiting list of 70. We have managed to reduce that to 30, and hope to include more sessions so that we can cater for everyone – it is just about getting more coaches and helpers involved. 

"We are pleased to have about 130 kids under the age of 18 training here." 

Sessions take place on Saturday from 9am until 6pm and run for an hour with a ten minute break in between each group. 

The team of coaches, including Adam, Chris, Duncan and Dave, run these, with further sessions taking place on Monday evening from 5pm, and a girls group taking place on Tuesday evenings with a new coach, Emilie.

They have made the space interactive and personal. Image credit: Nub News.

The sessions comprise of only 12 kids, so that the coaches have time to spend on individual skills and more. 

The sessions cost £25 per month and the team only have one break in the year, which they take in the summer – so kids can enjoy this energetic hobby all year round. 

Alternatively, the space is available to hire for £35.00 for an hour, which split between 12 is less than £3.00 per child. 

Find the club on Casterton Road, PE9 4EJ.

You can get in touch via email, [email protected], on Facebook or online.