With the men’s season having come to a close, here is an update on the career leaders for Crusaders.
Game Records

Points Scored (Team)
127      5 February 2011 v Sheffield Arrows D2
118      1 October 2005 vRichmondCollege– London United D3
112      7 April 2012 v Tees Valley Mohawks D1
112      11 February 2006 v. Reading Rockets II D3

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****PRESS RELEASE: Sportivate Basketball programme of coaching and competition for young people a great success in Medway****

The Howard School Sports Partnership (which is a network of schools in the Rainham, Gillingham Strood and rural area of Medway) secured ‘Sportivate’ funding to organise expert coaching from the Medway Park Crusaders Basketball club professionals, for young people aged 14 years plus in Medway.

The Sportivate programme forms part of the Sport England ‘Places, People, Play strategy’, which includes part of the £135 million mass participation legacy plans unveiled by the Government in November 2010. The Sportivate programme has been designed to help capture the excitement of sport and London 2012 and to help provide attractive and sustainable community sports opportunities. The Sportivate programme in Kent is administered by the Kent Sport, Leisure and Olympic Service.

Approx. 25 young people from both the Howard School in Rainham and the Brompton Academy in Gillingham received 5 weeks of expert after-school basketball coaching from professional basketball coaches: Adrian Fenyn and Joe Schow. Then on the 6th week there was a friendly competition between the two schools at Medway Park. Both school teams won at least one match each and Craig Nicol (Medway Park Crusaders Basketball Community Coach) was the match official and handed out prizes. Players were also encouraged to come and watch Crusaders matches (EBL division 1) at Medway Park and join the club, to continue playing and enjoy the sport in the longer term.

The Howard School Sport Partnership also secured a small grant from Sport England to establish a new community basketball club at the Howard School for children aged 8 year upwards. This will commence on Thursday 26th January 2012 from 5-6.30pm and will run every Thursday during term time only. The new community club based at the Howard School main sports hall, will be open to children from any school wishing to learn how to play the sport of basketball. Boys and girls of any playing standard (beginners would be particularly welcomed) are very much welcomed and the session will cost £2.00 per person. For further details on this new community club contact: Craig Nicol Head Coach Tel: 07896694228

Claire Moore (Partnership Development Manager) said: ‘This new community club is another exciting playing opportunity for young people in Medway. I am confident that Craig Nicol – Head Coach will help to inspire young people and teach them useful life skills through basketball. Furthermore, this new community club provides an excellent school to community club link and a chance for young people who take their sport more seriously to be directly linked with the Medway Park Crusaders basketball club – which has Clubmark.

We are also actively promoting once a month on the last Thursday of the month a wheelchair Basketball coaching session for young people (sports wheelchairs provided) at the Medway Park in Gillingham. This is led by Mike King – Coach from the Maidstone Rebels Club. For further details contact: Mike King Tel: 07542099375 or 01622 872566 or email: mikeking52@hotmail.com

There are also two Medway School Games competitions organised for both primary and secondary schools: Weds. 29th February 2012 – Medway Secondary Schools Basketball tournament at Medway Park, 2pm onwards and Thursday 1st March 2012 4-6pm – Medway Primary Schools Basketball Festival at Medway Park. All entries for these competitions and enquiries about any of the basketball coaching sessions should go to:

Claire Moore at the Howard School, Derwent Way, Rainham Gillingham Kent ME8 OBX, email: moorec@thehowardschool.co.uk or Tel: 07725724393 or 01634 388765 ex.228
www.howardssp.org.uk

Medway Park are pleased to announce the sponsorship of Vizz Mobile for their men’s programme. Vizz Mobile’s sponsorship will mean increased support for our men’s team supporting their participation in EBL1, the highest senior league run by England Basketball.

Vizz Mobile is a Pay as you go SIM partnered with Vodafone and backed by telecoms company QiComm, providing low-cost UK and International calls, SMS and mobile internet. Vizz Mobile is also the first SIM to provide International Airtime Credit Transfers, allowing you to instantly transfer credit from your Vizz Mobile SIM to the mobiles of your family & friends living outside the UK.

Crusaders Chairman Jesse Sazant is really pleased to welcome Vizz Mobile to the Crusaders team, “We really appreciate the support that Vizz Mobile are offering to help our men’s team in their pursuit of excellence.”

For more information visit www.vizzmobile.co.uk

Former Crusader OJ Reed was drafted by the Austin Toros in the 4th round of last night’s NBA D League Draft. The D League is NBA’s official minor league, with teams linked to NBA franchises.

Reed, a 6’6 Guard/Forward, was the 63rd pick out of 128 players drafted. He played for Medway Park in 2010-11 where he established himself as one of the league’s best players and scorers, using his versatility to take advantage of different match-ups.

Reed met a coach from a D League team (Austin Torros) through working out with Ryan Richards while in England. OJ expressed an interest in going to the D league trial

Reed complimented Crusaders and the role they played in his career. “My stint with the Crusaders was very beneficial for me. I was able to work on some areas of my game and increase my versatility, while also helping lead the club in the right direction in getting promoted and winning the EBL2 Playoffs. It was a fun experience with a group of good guys, along with a tremendous coach in James Vear.”

Crusaders Chairman Jesse Sazant wished Reed all the best saying, “OJ was a tremendous player at the club. Not only in the obvious impact he had on the floor in our success but in the way he fully bought into the club, leading, supporting and pushing our younger players to help their development.”