From Trevor Lodge:
I hope you had a good break and are looking forward to an exciting 2010-11 season. I know that for those of you on international duty it has been a long, hot summer but I’m sure you’ll use the valuable experience you have gained to good effect in the upcoming league and cup campaigns. Good luck to everyone. Let’s make 2010-11 a season to remember!
Your Club has been busy over the close season getting organised for what we hope will be another really successful season. There are a number of things we’d like you to know.
New Training Times
Training resumes from Monday 16th August. Following consultation with coaches there have been some adjustments to training days and time so please check your team’s training slots. Players should arrive in good time to start promptly at these times. The new training schedule is as follows:
| 17:30 - 19:00 | U14 Men | Lothian CW | |
| 19:00 - 20:30 | Lothian SW | ||
| 20:30 - 22:00 | National SM | ||
| 17:30 - 19:00 | National CW | National CM | |
| 19:00 - 20:30 | National JW | National JM | |
| 20:30 - 22:00 | National SW | Lothian SM | |
| 17:30 - 18:45 | U14 Men | ||
| 18:45 - 20:00 | Lothian CM | ||
| 20:00 - 22:00 | Lothian SM and/or SW | ||
| 17:30 - 19:00 | National CM | National CW | |
| 19:00 - 20:30 | National JM | National JW | |
| 20:30 - 22:00 | National SM | National SW | |
| 17:30 - 19:45 | U12 Mixed | ||
| 19:45 - 22:00 | Reserved for National League matches | ||
| 09:00 - 10:30 | U14 Women | ||
| 10:30 - 21:00 | Reserved for National League matches | ||
| 10:00 - 12:00 | Sunday Hoops (U10s) |
"Get Registered" day
Registration Packs will be distributed to Coaches and Team Managers shortly. The "Get Registered" Day will be held at 1pm on Saturday 28th August in the PE classroom at Portobello High School. Arrangements for the day are being worked out and will be advised shortly. All parents and players are expected to attend. However if you can’t make it on the 28th please return your completed forms and subscription payment to your Coach or Team Manager by that date.
Due to the tremendous support we received for our fundraising events last season, the Club continues to operate on a sound financial footing and we are pleased to confirm that there will be no increase in subscription rates for the 2010 – 11 season.
This season all players who register with the Club and pay their subscription will receive a reversible uniform free of charge. These are on their way and will be distributed to registered and paid up members as soon as they arrive with us.
The Senior Men will be playing a touring American team at 6.30pm on the 28th August at Portbello High School, the team would appreciate a big home support to cheer them on!
Calling all volunteers
We have had a great response from parents and friends of the Club who are eager to help out with our activities, but we still need more people to assist in the running of the Club. Volunteers will be able to register their interest at the ‘Get Registered’ day on 28th August. Key activities where we need help are the organisation of club merchandise, tuck shop, hall set up/take down, fundraising, 200 Club and social events.
Introducing our new Fundraising Coordinator
As you know Davy Forfar stepped down as Fundraising Co-ordinator at the end of last season. We owe a huge thanks to Davy for all his efforts over the last 4 years. We’re delighted that Simon Flockhart has agreed to take over the Fundraising Co-ordinator function. I’m sure that at 6’10” and over 200lbs Si will have no difficulty getting support for his fundraising plans!!!
Club website
We have made great progress in improving the Club website thanks to Clare Mackle. In future this is where you will find all information about the Club including notification of important information about what is going on in the Club’s and your team’s activities. Clare is always happy to receive information and messages for posting on the website. Material for posting should be sent to clare@themackles.com
Team Managers
A number of coaches have appointed Team Managers and are feeling the benefits of having the support of someone who can help with the day-to-day running of their team such as organising transport and communicating with players. We are keen to recruit Team Managers for all of our teams so if you are interested, or know of anyone who might be, please let us know.
Under 12s
This season the Club will be establishing a new mixed squad in the U12 age group. This is a major initiative focusing on developing the game at grass roots level, and providing opportunities for kids, particularly from the primary schools in the Portobello cluster, to get involved in club basketball at an earlier age. Janie McBrierty will be leading on this and will provide further updates as it progresses.
Playing Uniforms
This season the Club has purchased a further 8 sets of playing uniforms. This is the last of a 3-year deal with SportServe for uniform replacement. It means that all 14 of our teams plus our two new U12 teams will all be wearing the same uniforms.
Level 1 Coaching Course
There will be an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to gain their Level 1 Coaching Qualification. The dates for the next courses are Sunday 29th August and Sunday 19th September from 09:00 to 17:00 (applicants must be able to attend both days). It is hoped that newly qualified coaches will assist our new U12 programme within the Club and provide assistance to our cluster primary schools as required. Those wishing to participate in a Level 1 coaching need to let Janie McBrierty know by 20th August. A registration form will be available on the club website.
Level 1 and Level 2 Table Officials Courses
We will be arranging two Level 1 and Level 2 Table Officials courses before October (dates to be advised). Our aim is to have all players qualified to Level 1 and as many as possible qualified to Level 2 in order to meet league regulations. Those wishing to sign up for these courses should forward their names to Trevor Lodge as soon as possible.
