Yet another very hectic schedule for our teams this weekend (Nov 22/23). All 3 boys teams are away on Saturday with the U14's going to Newham Academy for a 1.30pm Tip, the U16's at Reading for a 1.45pm Tip and the U18's visiting Haringey at 5pm.  Following the withdrawal of Millwall's Senior women only the U18's and U16's girls teams have home games on Saturday - the U18's hosting Salisbury at 1pm followed by the U16's against Ipswich at 3pm.  On Sunday there are two National Cup 2nd Round games for the club. The U18's travel to Oxford to take on the Eagles at 12.30pm while the U16's entertain Ipswich (again!) at Eastwood at 1pm. There is no U14 Girls game this weekend because of the U14 Inter-Regional Tournament at Lilleshall where several of our girls will be playing for the East of England against the 9 other regions in England - we wish them well.

Last weekend's match reports are now on the Current Match Reports page

Following their win in the National Cup game against Wandsworth on Saturday the U18 Girls will now play Solent Suns in the Quarter Final at Southampton on Sunday Dec 14th tip off 3.30pm

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING RE. UPCOMING FIXTURES:

Sun Nov 23rd    U16 Girls National Cup Rnd 2  v Ipswich at Home 1pm Tip

Sunday Nov 23rd   U18 Men's National Cup Rnd 2  v Oxford  Away  12.30pm Tip Off

The U16 Boys game at Brentwood scheduled for Sat Dec 21st at 10am has been changed to Saturday December 6th at 2pm

Millwall have withdrawn from the Senior Womens League so fixtures scheduled for Nov 22 & Feb 7 are CANCELLED!

MORE ACCOLADES FOR SWIFTS !

At the prestigious Essex Sports Awards presentation ceremony held on Thursday Nov 6th in Chelmsford. Southend Swifts U16 Girls team came Runners Up in the 'Community Club of the Year' category. In the previous week the same team won the Southend Sports Council 'Team of the Year' award (Joe Hart came Runner Up in the 'Young Sports Personality of the Year' Award). Congratulations to Steve, Joe & all the girls for gaining such richly deserved recognition.

SWIFTS PRIMARY SCHOOL COACHING HAS NOW STARTED!!

We are delighted to say that Swifts first ever primary school age coaching programme started last weekend at Eastwood School. This coaching will now continue every Saturday and Sunday morning throughout the season (except for school holidays) as detailed below. Any boys and girls in Year 5 or 6 can come along, just turn up with suitable clean indoor trainers, shorts & T-shirt.

The training times are as follows:

SATURDAYS   -  YEAR  5  10 -11am      YEAR 6  11am - 12pm

SUNDAYS        -  YEAR  5  10 -11am      YEAR 6  11am - 12pm

THE FIRST SESSION IS FREE - SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS COST £1 PER PLAYER PER SESSION

For further details e-mail paul.may@swiftsbasketball.co.uk

Steve Pearl receives England Basketball Coach of the Year Award!!

At the England Basketball Volunteer Awards Luncheon held on Sunday (7/9) in Birmingham,

Steve was presented with the prestigious Coach of the Year Award by England Basketball.

'For the outstanding successes he had achieved with Southend Swifts this year and

in recognition of his dedication and services to basketball coaching for the past 30 years.'

I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Steve on this richly deserved award - Paul

TRAINING at Eastwood School

TUESDAYS                -   6pm  - 8pm  U14  BOYS & GIRLS  :   8pm - 10pm  U18/SENIOR MEN

WEDNESDAYS          -   6pm - 8pm   U16 GIRLS   :    8pm - 10pm  U16 BOYS

THURSDAYS             -   6pm - 8pm    ALL CLUB PLAYERS   :   8pm - 10pm   U18/SENIOR WOMEN

 Note: these will be the times  for weekday training for the rest of the season at Eastwood

IMPORTANT NOTICE - under no circumstances will you be allowed onto the new floor with shoes or trainers  that have been outside - please bring your basketball boots with you and put them on inside the building - DO NOT wear your basketball boots outside the building!!

ALL THE CLUB'S FIXTURES ARE NOW ON THE WEBSITE  : PLEASE CHECK THE INDIVIDUAL TEAM

PAGES FOR DETAILS  :  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED TO CHECK THE WEBSITE

REGULARLY FOR NOTIFICATION OF ANY FIXTURE CHANGES  : THE WEBSITE IS THE ONLY PLACE

WHERE THE FIXTURES WILL BE ACCURATE EXCEPT FOR THE WEEKLY UPDATE LETTER WHICH

WILL CONFIRM UPCOMING FIXTURES ON A WEEKLY BASIS :

DIRECTIONS TO EASTWOOD SCHOOL :  POSTCODE  SS9 5UU

Take A127 towards Southend, go through the Rayleigh Weir underpass

and keep going until you reach the 40mph signs (watch out for the speed cameras!),

keep going along the dual carriageway through several sets of lights until you reach the

traffic lights next to 'Essex Ford', turn left into Rayleigh Road, school is 500m on the left

Sports Hall is on the right. From Southend just turn right at the Essex Ford lights and follow as above.