England Basketball has today agreed with the Skydome Arena to stage all international home fixtures at the new Coventry venue for the next 3 years.
Following the Senior Men’s 61 – 53 win in Switzerland last night, Coventry City Council has offered its support to the forthcoming events which ensures that local youngsters will also benefit. The announcement comes ahead of England’s opening home fixture against the Slovak Republic at the Skydome on Saturday 25 November 2000, 7.30pm tip-off.
As well as distributing 100’s of free tickets for the games through local schools, there is also a chance for the children to follow the international stars on court.
Monday and Tuesday also sees the start of basketball development with local Coventry children. Eleven teams of 10 and 11 year olds from local Primary Schools take centre stage on the full size basketball court to begin the Arena’s first ‘Primary Schools Basketball Tournament’.
The finals for the winning teams take place throughout the afternoon of Wednesday 29 November from 2pm onwards prior to the European Championship clash between England and Latvia at 7.30pm.
The children have all undertaken their practice sessions with local coaches, clubs and the City Council’s Sports Development Team during extra curricula sessions throughout the year. As a special thank you to the children, they are all being given tickets for themselves and two adults to come along to one of the games and see the England team in action.
Simon Kirkland, Chief Executive of England Basketball said:
‘We’re delighted to be bringing international basketball to Coventry and to such a great venue. The Council’s support has been vital to funding the deal with the Skydome and together we’re confident that we can now secure the commercial sponsorship we need.’
Councillor Dave Batten, on behalf of Cultural and Leisure Services Cabinet said: ‘I am delighted that the City Council are able to support and promote basketball in the city, particularly with the excellent facilities we now have in the Skydome Arena. Our aim is to work with our partners in this venture to ensure that Coventry and England Basketball enjoy a successful relationship for these internationals and for the local development of basketball in the city.’
Mike Petrouis, Managing Director of arena owners Planet Ice said: ‘In the last few weeks, the Arena has shown how truly multi-purpose it really is. We have hosted a careers fair, ice hockey and sold over 3,000 tickets for a concert. We are very much looking forward to the first England Basketball game on Saturday and this sponsorship is good news for sport, the city, the Arena and the local community in Coventry.’
For more information contact:
Emily Clarke
Tel: 0113 290 0811
Email: Emily.Clarke@ebbaonline.net