Coaches Corner with Jonathan Kelly

Two long hard months into the Basketball season and still great optimism at the club is a great sign. I look back to where we were 12 months ago and i see a struggling mens team and an U16 team without a win, an U14 team starting to slump after a great start and an U18 team just picking up their first loss of the campaign. Although the success of the U18s and U14s last year was fantastic to see, the upside of the teams this year is really good.

The mens side have won their patrons cup group and are in the semi-final and an unbeaten home record has helped them get to an impressive 5-2 record with losses to the two unbeaten teams in the league. Considering the young Arrows team have tied their win tally of two years in two months and beyond counting the Patrons cup record, there is a feel that the squad can still improve on their recent performances. December brings one singular away game for the men at Birmingham Mets (10th December), where last time a narrow loss in the patrons cup was the start for the Arrows. There is a definate change of mood from previous seasons in the camp, and a real belief of us doing something big this year. Only time will tell.

The U18s had an awful lot to live up to after last years success, and are just struggling to find their rhythm this year. Although a 4-3 record is not a bad record, there is a feeling of slight disappointment with recent performances. The bonus for the team is a singular match in December at home to Scarborough Seahawks should leave a game that the Arrows can take into the Christmas break in a good mood. The Arrows team will hope for a solid Christmas camp to get back to winning ways and the team still possess players of real talent.

The U15s had the misfortune of 3 teams in their division dropping out along with a controversial loss due to a mistaken administrational reason. With a playoff position last year for the team, the division they were in was disbanded and the Arrows put into a very tough Midlands division. The Arrows team continue to improve, and although can not be seen on the win column is seen by those who see their games weekly. The Arrows U15s were handed over to the experience of Pete Kelly and their performances continue to encourage a few results around the corner. They face the local derby against the Saints and a trip away to Leicester Flame this month and hope to go into the Christmas camp with a win in either of these games.

The U14 Arrows appear to be the revelation of the club this year so far. This team made up of 9 squad members, have 6 of those players playing their first season of national league basketball. Captain Ross Walcott and Aidan Dennison lead the way for the club putting in big performances every game. They are also well supported by Connor Hicken who is a real x factor for the team. The club stand in second place in the table and with a second round of games to go play all of last years playoff teams at home. The team will play a local rivalry game on Saturday against Rotherham Hawks and then travel away to York Eagles to finish off the year.

The club would like to thank everybody for their support and hard work so far this season. Although there are many months to go, on behalf of the coaches and officials of the club we thank you and hope you bare with us.

Coach Jonathan Kelly