Hoops 4 Health

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Bothal Middle School became the latest side to book one of this season’s coveted Champion of Champions berths as the 2008 Hoops4Heath tournament reaches its thrilling climax.

Hoops4Health is a basketball project aimed at tackling the following issues in the community;

  • increasing obesity at an early age
  • increase in level of diabetes in early age
  • levels of coronary heart disease in our region

Sides from across South East Northumberland descended on Ashington Leisure Centre earlier this year with a prize in the Final Fours at stake. And Bothal joined a brace of Seaton Hirst Middle squads - plus a Hirst Park Middle roster – in what turned out to be a gripping battle for regional honours under the bright lights of Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena.

The Seaton Hirst sides met in the first of two tight semi-finals with clear cut chances few and far between. Ultimately a cagey clash went to a shoot-out with SH1 booking their place in the final. The second semi was just as exciting as Bothal took on Hirst Park with the remaining final spot up for grabs. An end-to-end fixture went down to the wire and another shoot-out would decide the identity of the winners. Three bonus shots a piece could not separate two success-hungry sides but Bothal aced victory with a dramatic sudden death triumph. A huge Newcastle Eagles crowd backed both finalists to the hilt and the hoops on offer did not disappoint. Bothal made the early breakthrough and, after withstanding a spell of serious Seaton Hirst pressure, closed out a famous win down the stretch.

All children were presented with medals and Blood Donor Service prizes by Dave Gillam and Graham McIntosh, from Spinnaka, and Patrick Price from Northumberland Care Trust.

The Eagles Community Foundation would like to thank all sponsors of the Hoops4Health programme: National Blood Service, Northumbrian Water, NorthumbriaUniversity, Warburtons, TWEBLO, Spinnaka, South Tyneside Schools Sport Partnership, Northern Rock Foundation, North Tyneside Partnership Development, Newcastle NRF, Newcastle City Council, Northumberland PCT, Northumberland Sport and Sports Match.

Further further information on the project contact Zoe Vickers, Hoops4Health Coordinator on 0191 2453880. 

In association with

Northumberland Sport