A BASKETBALL coach from Ipsley has been praised for his commitment to the game as Redditch Basketball Club celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Dave Bradshaw, owner and head coach of the club, received a letter from Basketball England thanking him for being an ambassador for the sport.
The town’s only basketball club was set up in September 1993 using £750 which was split between Dave and two friends Rob Day and Bryan Sorrel, neither of whom are around.
Dave has coached the club ever since and played a few seasons for the first team in the early years.
His son, Jimmy also played for the club before going on to successfully play for the Birmingham Bullet’s junior team.
Simon Fisher, Basketball Wales Under 16s coach, said: “Dave is a man of integrity and is well respected within the basketball community.
“This has ensured the ideals of the club are based around developing people and the community.
“I was fortunate to coach his son, Jimmy, who was a tremendous young player.
“Congratulations on your achievements, many have benefited, too many to name, but they all have a common thread which is that they started their basketball journey in Redditch.”
“I’m feeling very flattered by everyone’s support,” said Dave, who, now aged 65, has never taken time off during the season.
“A few weeks ago we had a dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary and so many old faces from the past turned up.
“It was strange – and fantastic – to bump into people I hadn’t seen since I coached them as 10 year-olds and now they’re fully-grown adults with children of their own.
“It was also a complete shock to get a letter from the CEO of Basketball England Stewart Kellett.
“When praise comes from people who are so knowledgeable of the sport, the words really carry weight.”
The club has Junior teams from under 11’s right through to men and women 40 and above.
Visit the club online for more details at http://redditchbasketballclub.co.uk/
