Having become rather chubby and a bit sluggish up and down a basketball court of late, I thought I would use this opportunity to get motivated, get fit, raise money for a great cause(s) and achieve a long-held ambition of running a half-marathon.

 

On May 27 2012 I will be running the EMF Edinburgh Half Marathon to raise money for Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) and the Scotland U16 Women’s Basketball Team. All the money that I raise will be split 50/50 between the two.

 

This season I have been appointed to the position of assistant coach and physiotherapist for the Scotland U16 Women’s Basketball Team.  I have always been enormously passionate about the sport and I am excited to be working with a National Team again this year.  The U16 squad has been selected and we have begun our preparation for the year ahead. The girls will be competing in the FIBA European Competition (Division C) in Gibraltar in July 2012  alongside Iceland, Wales, Cyprus, Monaco, Andorra, Malta and Gibraltar.

 

This year basketballscotland has to support 15 National Squads who all require coaches, kit, training venues, accommodation, trains, planes, buses, etc etc.   It’s an extremely expensive business, there are limited resources available with funding being severely cut by the Government and Sports Scotland. The U16 coaching staff are completely voluntary and each of the girls will have to pay a substantial ‘player contribution’ to represent their country and we will all be involved in a variety fundraising events throughout the year. The girls are hugely committed, talented, passionate and hard-working and half the money I raise will go towards improving their programme.

 

The other half will go to Scottish Sports Futures (SSF).  SSF is a Glasgow based charity which delivers “Education through Sport” programmes to disadvantaged young people across Scotland.  Scottish Sports Futures targets those young people most at risk focusing on neighbourhoods’ that suffer from acute youth disorder and anti social behaviour. Initiatives are designed to encourage integration, self-efficacy, healthy lifestyles and good citizenship. These issues are tackled in a relaxed and informal environment. SSF uses basketball as the engagement tool – it offers a platform to connect with youngsters, supports positive lifestyle choices and encourages youngsters to reach their full potential.  The programmes SSF are currently delivering are- Shell Twilight Basketball, Jump2It, Rocks Clubs and 'Active East'. The funds raised will go directly into these projects in Scotland.

 

As they are a registered charity, SSF will receive all the money that I raise via Just Giving.  At the end of my fundraising campaign this money will be split down the middle with half going to basketballscotland for the U16 Scotland Women’s Basketball Team.

 

I know it sounds cliché but every little really does help and any donation large or small is hugely appreciated! A couple of quid here and there really will make all the difference.  Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

 

Thank you so much for visiting my page and thank you for your support!!!

 

 

Lou xxxx

 

 

U16 Scotland Women 2011/12:

 

Shannon Flippard (Falkirk Fury); Sarah Hunter (St. Mirren); Cara Black (Tayside Musketeers); Mirren Summers (Polonia Phoenix); Taylor McKeown (Glasgow Rocks); Michelle Bradley (Glasgow Rocks); Abbie Wheeler (Kool Kats); Erin Campbell (St. Mirren); Keri Jackson (Polonia Phoenix); Katie Fergus (St. Mirren); Shannon Purves (Kool Kats); Sam Butler (Glasgow Rocks); Lauren Forde (Polonia Phoenix); Julie O'Donnell (Tayside Musketeers).

Head Coach: Luis Romero (Polonia Phoenix)

Asst. Coach: Dave Evans (Glasgow Rocks)

Asst. Coach/Physio: Louise Gillespie (Polonia Phoenix)

Team Manager: Jo Holmes (Stirling Knights)

Sports Pyschologist: Cat McCready (Highland Bears)