Regional basketball success for Outwood Academy Danum

The academy team ended the season as third in Yorkshire

Students from Outwood Academy Danum secured third place in the Junior NBA Yorkshire league after beating schools from across the region.

The team of Year 7 and Year 8 students won the majority of their games throughout the season and made it to the play-offs in May, where they had success over both Penistone Grammar School and The Hayfield School. Their accomplishments qualified the team for the Junior NBA Yorkshire final, which was held at Leeds Beckett University on 28 June.

The Junior NBA League is a programme organised by Basketball England that aims to develop youth basketball players and promote the sport across the country. The league emphasises skill development, teamwork and fair play, providing an opportunity for aspiring basketball players to participate in organised competitions and gain valuable experience. The league is open to both boys and girls, promoting inclusivity and gender equality in sports.

During the day-long tournament, the Outwood Academy Danum team fought hard, resulting in a close defeat from local rival Hall Cross Academy, before beating Cockburn John Charles Academy in the closing seconds of the game to secure 3rd place in the Yorkshire league. Team member, Mario Tulen, also won the individual hoop shooting competition, claiming victory over all other students from the final teams. 

Nicola Brough, Teacher of PE who coaches the team, said:

“The team were fantastic. I am so proud of them. They are not afraid to dig deep, work hard and show the grit and resilience necessary to win games against some very tough and talented opposition.

“As a PE department, we have made a big push to develop and promote basketball at the school over the last few years. This is the first time in recent history that we have reached a regional basketball final and it has been down to the energy and spirit this group of students have put in since the team came together in September.”

Mandy Crane, Principal at Outwood Academy Danum, said:

“We are so proud of our students. This is the culmination of a great deal of hard work from both the players and their teachers. Events like these really help broaden the horizons of our children when it comes to sports. I believe we are now starting to reap the rewards due to the hard work, time and effort the PE department and other staff have put into extra-curricular sport as a whole and I look forward to seeing many more sporting achievements over the next school year.”