A team of students from Bristol have reaffirmed their school’s dominance of a UK sporting contest by winning a national basketball title for the fifth time in eight years.
The under-16 boys’ team from Bristol Metropolitan Academy – part of the Cabot Learning Federation – showed abundant skill and determination to clinch victory at the Dynamik schools’ national competition.
Bristol Metropolitan convincingly beat London powerhouse Greig City Academy by 80-59 in the final stage at the National Basketball Performance in Manchester.
Their journey to the title was a hard-fought one, but Bristol Metropolitan displayed excellent teamwork at every stage. They first emerged triumphant from five qualifying games during the South West regional group stages, followed by four playoff games against teams from Birmingham, Telford, Newcastle and Manchester at the finals tournament.
Underpinning Bristol Metropolitan’s basketball success is a commitment to excellence, both on and off the court.
The school’s basketball programme has its foundations in attendance and behaviour. All players and parents sign a contract to confirm they will maintain certain standards to retain a place in the basketball programme. They means retaining a 4.3 behaviour average, 96% and above attendance and good punctuality. If these standards are not met, students will not be permitted to play for the team.
Tom Hooper, Programme Leader for PE at Bristol Metropolitan Academy, said: “I am extremely proud of what this group of boys have achieved. We have worked together consistently for five years with this always being our ultimate goal.
“I hope they look back fondly at their time at the academy and go on to fulfil their full potential.”
