[29 MAR 11] CRUSADER NEWS

A Crusaders Summer of Competitive B'ball.

By Adam Manning, Crusaders press officer

 

Coventry Crusaders Basketball Club is expanding its presence to America this summer by hosting a “Crusaders Competitive Summer of Basketball”.

Crusaders managing director Robert “Dip” Donaldson announced that he is planning to coach an Under-17 Boys side in Colorado during May and June.

Donaldson will be assisted by son Tim Donaldson and Ed McQueen in coaching a side twice a week from the beginning of May in the lead up to four 5-game tournaments starting in mid-June. These tournaments are otherwise known as Mid America Youth Basketball tournaments.

Explaining the reasons for this new team,  51-year-old Donaldson who is also assistant coach of Longmont High School’s basketball team, explained:

“The thinking behind setting this team is because my son RJ and his mates wanted me to coach them this summer.”

“The goal of this team is to help our boys improve over the summer through targeted practices, clinics (if available), and highly competitive tournaments so that they can make it to the next level of play in high school.”

And while Donaldson pointed out the clinic was mainly available to children in the United States, he was open to welcoming British talent across the Atlantic.

One British success story was power forward Dave Edden who plied his trade with Dip’s sons Syd and Marcus at Longmont High School in 2008 before heading back to Coventry to cement his place in Crusaders’ first-team for the 2009/10 season. 

Donaldson added: “This Under-17 basketball team only applies to America kids mainly, but if a UK kid wants to come over it could happen down the road.”

Trials for the team take place on April 5, 6, 12, and 13 from 6-8:30pm at Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Christian Church  with a try-out fee of $25.00 (£15).

The full price of team participation from the start of May onwards is $725.00 (£452), which includes a registration fee and uniform. Participants will need to fund their own living costs.  

If you live in the UK and would like to discuss the opportunity further, email Dip Donaldson at dip@crusaders.co.uk .

American participants should register their interest for the April trials by emailing crusaders.bball@live.com and bring their registration form and $25 with them to trials. To download a registration form click here.

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