Please help the York Eagles get airborne – to a basketball camp in LA!

What is the fundraising about?

York Eagles Basketball Club is looking to raise funds to support its amazingly talented U13 boys’ and U14 girls’ basketball teams, and 20 players who have been selected to attend a basketball camp in Los Angeles, USA, during Easter school holidays 2024.

Who are York Eagles?

York Eagles Basketball Club is one of North England’s most successful community basketball clubs. It was founded in 2008 by Head Coach, Dave Smith, and operates on a not-for-profit basis, providing basketball activities for boys and girls, for both performance and recreational purposes, with over 1,000 visits per month from youth players. The Club has won an impressive 8 North Conference titles including the Eagles U18’s men’s team completing an incredible second consecutive unbeaten season (20-0) in 2022/2023 to retain their crown as North Conference Champions. On an individual level, the Eagles now have a track record of feeding juniors into national teams, recently including Ollie Bishop representing England at U14’s and George Andrews being selected to play for Tanzania at U16’s.

About the York Eagles U13 boys Team

The Eagles’ U13s team has demonstrated that it has the potential to be a very successful part of the York Eagles family. Last year, in their first season of competitive basketball, which saw them travel the breadth of Yorkshire and beyond, over the course of the season, combined home and away, they came out on top against all the teams that they played, including clubs from cities with real basketball pedigree such as the likes of Leeds and Sheffield.

About the York Eagles U14 girls Team

Despite girls’ basketball still being in its infancy at York Eagles, with the first players having only walked through its doors in 2019, the Eagles U14 team are now a force to be reckoned with as part of the girls National League. At the time of press, they remain undefeated in their current season and are championship contenders in a very competitive league.

What is the LA trip about?

York Eagles would like to build on the incredible start that the U13 boys and U14 girls have shown and provide them with the very best opportunities to excel within the game and further their own personal development. Each of the players has demonstrated a real commitment to the game, and it is hoped that the opportunity to participate in the trip will create a lifetime bond with the sport.

A tribute to Coach John Stewart

The trip will also be used to pay tribute to and honour John Stewart who sadly passed away in 2023 from cancer. John, whose son Cameron plays for the U13 boys, had coached the squad since the players joined the Club as youngsters. He was super passionate about basketball as a fan, player and coach and the trip to LA is a perfect way to honour his legacy and remember him. He will be deeply missed by the Club and the players that he coached.

Read more as reported by The Press. See below and: https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23890456.york-eagles-basketball-honour-passionate-former-coach-john-stewart/

What will the Eagles be doing on the trip?

The LA tour will involve a week of intensive basketball. The exact programme is still to be finalised. It is currently planned to include training and games at the prestigious Sierra Canyon High School and the Santa Monica Basketball Academy. The trip will also allow the players an opportunity to showcase their skills on the iconic Venice basketball courts in the shadow of Muscle Beach, as well as attend an NBA game at the famous Crypto.com Arena with the LA Lakers or the LA Clippers.

Who will be supporting the Eagles on the trip?

The players will be accompanied to the LA camp by Coach Tyler Paton-Pottage (assistant Head Coach at York Eagles and Red Star Camp Coach), Coach Steve Hardisty (Coach of the U13 boys) and Ghada Khattab (Coach of the U14 girls).

Coach Tyler said “This is a group of players that have each demonstrated that they have the potential and desire to compete at the very highest level, and the trip to LA will provide an incredible opportunity for them to experience coaching and gamecraft at the highest level.”

Coach Steve added “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all players on the trip to live and breathe basketball in what is one of the world’s most famous and best ranked cities for basketball. There could be no better springboard or motivation for them to accelerate their development and understanding of this amazing sport. This is also bigger than just the game, and will hopefully enable the players to absorb a different culture and form new friendships across the world with others also sharing a passion for the sport.”

Coach Ghada also commented “The inclusion of the U14 girls on the LA trip is a slam dunk for the Club and demonstrates that it really takes seriously its commitment to equality and inclusivity. Not only do the U14 girls compete at the highest standard in their own league, they punch above their weight when lining up against the boys, and it will be a pleasure to see their keen rivalry with the U13 boys play out on the courts of LA”.

The U13 boys attending the trip:

- Jack Bishop, 2022/2023 MVP Eagles Award

o Favourite NBA teams: Phoenix Suns & LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: Kevin Durant, Austin Reaves & LeBron James

o School: Norton College, Malton

- Maks Molka, 2022/2023 Special Player Award, 2023 All Star at Red Star

o Favourite NBA teams: Golden State Warriors and LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell & Jeremy Sochan

o School: All Saints, York

- Cameron Stewart, 2023 All Star at Red Star, 2021/2022 MVP Eagles Award

o Favourite NBA teams: Boston Celtics & LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: Jayson Tatum, LeBron James & Marcus Smart

o School: King James’s High School, Knaresborough

- Griffin Evans, 2022/2023 Most Improved Player Award

o Favourite NBA teams: Milwaukee Bucks & Denver Nuggets

o Favourite NBA players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić and LeBron James

o School: Millthorpe School, York

- Oscar Longbottom

o Favourite NBA teams: Miami Heat and LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis & LeBron James

o School: King James’s High School, Knaresborough

- Bertie Hardisty

o Favourite NBA teams: Miami Heat and LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: LeBron James, Bam Adebayo & Jimmy Butler

o School: Outwood Academy, Easingwold

- Taylor Jackson

o Favourite NBA team: Boston Celtics

o Favourite NBA player: Jayson Tatum

o School: Manor CE Academy, York

- Leo Frusher

o Favourite NBA teams: Philadelphia 76ers & Denver Nuggets

o Favourite NBA players: Jamal Murray & Tyrese Maxey

o School: Fulford School, York

- Malachi Brown

o Favourite NBA team: LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: Anthony Davis & LeBron James

o School: Manor CE Academy, York

- Henderson Ho

o Position: Small Forward

o Favourite NBA team: LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA player: Anthony Davis

o School: Fulford School, York

- Freddie Wainwright-Smith

o Favourite NBA team: Memphis Grizzlies

o Favourite NBA player: Ja Morant

o School: King James’s High School, Knaresborough

- Fin Lewis

o Favourite NBA team: Golden State Warriors

o Favourite NBA player: Stephen Curry

o School: King James’s High School, Knaresborough

- James Clayton

o Favourite NBA team: LA Lakers

o Favourite NBA players: Kobe Bryant & LaMelo Ball

o School: All Saints, York

- Jake Richardson

o Favourite NBA team: Miami Heat

o Favourite NBA players: Dwyane Wade & Stephen Curry

o School: Archbishop Holgate’s CE School, York

The U14 girls attending the trip:

- Danika Croft, 2021/2022 Joint MVP Eagles Award

o Favourite NBA/WNBA teams: LA Lakers/Los Angeles Sparks

o Favourite WNBA player: Maya Moore

o School: Millthorpe School, York

- Maya Foulkes, 2021/2022 Joint MVP Eagles Award

o Favourite NBA/WNBA teams: LA Lakers/Los Angeles Sparks & New York Liberty Roster

o Favourite WNBA player: Sabrina Ionescu

o School: Millthorpe School, York

- Amelie Hetherton, 2021/2022 Special Player Eagles Award, 2022/2023 MVP Eagles Award

o Favourite NBA/WNBA teams: Golden State Warriors & Washington Mystics

o Favourite NBA/WNBA players: Stephen Curry & Elena Delle Donne

o School: Archbishop Holgate’s CE School, York

- Molly Jones

o Favourite NBA team: Boston Celtics

o Favourite WNBA player: Sabrina Ionescu

o School: St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate

- Zofia Parsons, 2022/2023 Special Player Eagles Award, 2023 Miss Hustle at Red Star Camp

o Favourite NBA/WNBA teams: LA Lakers/Los Angeles Sparks

o Favourite WNBA players: Breanna Stewart

o School: All Saints, York

- Grace Roberts

o Favourite NBA/WNBA teams: LA Lakers/Los Angeles Sparks

o Favourite WNBA player: Elena Delle Donne

o School: Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering

What will the funds be spent on?

The funds raised will help cover the cost of flights, accommodation, food, transport, kit and basketball camp activities. Although we are looking to raise a substantial sum of money, it is unlikely to cover all the costs of the trip, and therefore each of the selected players will be expected to cover any shortfall from their own funds.

Small print

If this amazing trip fails to happen for any reason (whether by reason of adverse weather, industrial action, a repeat of COVID, a failure to raise the full funding required to finance the trip, minibus failure or otherwise!), all funds raised will be applied for another trip for the U13 boys’ and U14 girls’ squads and/or the benefit of the York Eagles Basketball Club, to further the fantastic community work that it does in developing young people in and through the sport of basketball. If the funds raised exceed the cost of the trip, any surplus will be applied for future trips and/or the benefit of York Eagles. The participation of each of the players on the trip is also subject to them strictly adhering to the York Eagles Code of Conduct, remaining as part of their respective squads and being available to travel with the squad. Where sufficient funds are raised the trip may be made available to additional players from York Eagles.

More small print

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations to our fundraiser.

Whilst you are here

We would be grateful if you could also spend a few minutes checking out the great work done by one of York’s amazing local charities, The Snappy Trust, which is dedicated to maximising the personal development of children and young people with learning difficulties.

Please check them out, and donate, here: https://www.thesnappytrust.org

As a community club open to all, the York Eagles is often attended by children with learning difficulties. Within the confinements of regular sessions, it is difficult to provide the more tailored approach that is required for children with disabilities. As a club, we would like to do more. So once our fundraiser hits £10,000, 15% of all funds (up to £1,500) will be applied by York Eagles into providing dedicated sessions for children with learning difficulties, to be organised in conjunction with The Snappy Trust. All players attending the LA trip have committed to assist with the programme to provide some hands-on and engaging activities for children that aren’t necessarily able to participate in mainstream sports through traditional routes.

Finally, why the chicken?

For the Eagle-eyed, you will have spotted one of our U13’s cradling a chicken instead of a basketball. Why? That’s a long story, but we do know that chickens don’t fly, and without your kindness and generosity, neither will the Eagles. So, please dig deep and help the Eagles get airborne!

OUR AMAZING SPONSORS

We have some amazing sponsors who are helping make our trip a reality. We can’t thank them enough. Please support them where you can.

enact Conveyancing

Enact are the largest direct conveyancer in the UK. Established in 2000, they handle 1 in 4 remortgage conveyancing transactions and also help thousands of people to move home each year. They know that moving house can be stressful so they make sure they do everything they can to make the conveyancing process as easy and efficient as possible.

https://bit.ly/enact-conveyancing

Ben Carroll, Managing Director, Enact Conveyancing commented:

“The York Eagles under 13s basketball team was very important to our dear colleague John, and enact Conveyancing are proud to sponsor their upcoming trip to Los Angeles in his memory.

This journey, which includes participation in a basketball camp, will offer the young team a once in a lifetime experience. By lending our support to this exciting opportunity, we not only commemorate their former coach but also wholeheartedly endorse their dedication to the sport.”

NEOM Organics

NEOM is an award winning British B Corp wellbeing brand, focused on luxury aromatherapy purposeful products for the home, bath, body and skin.

NEOM fragrances are 100% natural with true wellbeing benefits: to help you sleep better, stress less, boost your energy or lift your mood.

NEOM Wellbeing: Scent to Boost Your Wellbeing.

https://www.neomorganics.com

Nicola Elliott, NEOM Founder:

“We are happy to support young people learning through sport and feeling part of something bigger than themselves - it’s such a big part of wellbeing. We are proud to sponsor the York Eagles team and their once in a lifetime opportunity that will broaden their sport (and life) skills! Good luck team!” Nicola Elliott, NEOM Founder

Everything is Possible

Everything is Possible CIC is a non-profit organisation based in York specialising in offering international opportunities to young people (specifically but not exclusively those experiencing obstacles and those from minority groups). It offers intercultural development, volunteering and vocational opportunities to young people aged 13-30 with the hope of inspiring their future choices, raising confidence and building resilience through meaningful participation.

www.everythingispossible.eu

Rock Up

Rock Up, a unique indoor climbing experience, is thrilled to sponsor the York Eagles journey to LA. Aligned with our mission to unite communities, have fun whilst getting active, developing self confidence and create lasting memories, our partnership reflects shared values of teamwork, promoting well-being, talent development, diversity, and excellence. This commitment resonates with the thriving spirit of the York Eagles. Rock Up’s sponsorship hopes to positively impact their journey and we wish then the very best of luck.

https://www.rock-up.co.uk

TMS: Transport Management Services

TMS Global is the leading provider of event transportation, planning and management solutions for large scale events worldwide. With over 29 years of expertise in planning and managing event transportation operations, TMS Global has played a key role in enabling the world’s best sportsmen and women to participate in some of the biggest global sporting events.

David McCrae, Vice President and Managing Director:

“We are familiar with the amazing success of the York Eagles on court, and it is with great pleasure that we have been able to provide them with a transport solution to make a success of their basketball camp in Los Angeles. At TMS, it’s about both the journey and the destination, and we look forward to supporting the York Eagles on what we hope will be a journey of a lifetime at one of the world’s most iconic basketball destinations”.

https://www.tms.com

PRESS/MEDIA

The Press

York Eagles U13’s – Litter Picking, York (11 November 2023):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzlJ3s6oyDb/?igshid=Y2NkYjk0MDhjYg==

The amazing Shanice Beckford-Norton, London Lions’ all-time WBBL scoring leader:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CznuIwEtxgc/?igshid=Y2NkYjk0MDhjYg==

York Eagles U13’s – Litter Picking, York (25 November 2023)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0RD8XyI4A-/

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