Reading Rockets Player Development Partnership
The Henley College Basketball Academy provides a unique opportunity for student athletes to pursue academic excellence, as well as sporting excellence whilst combining the two.
The Academy Head Coach, Ben Fisher, under the direction of Reading Rockets Head of Junior Development and The John Madjeski Basketball Academy Head Coach Matt Johnson, has implemented a Development Programme working in partnership with The Henley College and Reading Rockets Basketball Club. The programme gives students the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of educational courses as well as pursue their achievement of development and excellence in basketball.
Unlike many other academies, The Henley College Basketball Academy aims to bring together a high achieving academic environment with that of performance sport. Students attending the College can choose from a wide variety of courses such as A Levels, Extended Diplomas and Level 2 Diplomas. The Academy’s first aim is to ensure its student athletes gain a high standard of qualification while they train at the appropriate level.
Within the Academy itself athletes will develop their skills through a challenging programme consisting of 4 main training areas:
- Individual
- Co-operative
- Shooting
- Strength and Conditioning
Athletes competing at a High to Elite Level will be assessed by a Strength and Conditioning coach and given an individual conditioning programme to follow. Each player will be fitness tested as well as undergoing shooting and skills tests.
Overall the Academy provides an environment of high achievement on and off the court. With the successful partnership between Reading Rockets and The Henley College, players have the opportunity to play at the highest level of club basketball whether it is at a junior level with the Under 18 premier and development squads or training with the clubs senior NBL and WNBL teams. The Rockets system allows players a clear pathway of development into the highest level of senior English basketball.
