The Scottish Rocks professional basketball team will be renamed this summer to cement their long-term partnership with Culture and Sport Glasgow and Glasgow City Council. The newly named Glasgow Rocks will celebrate the occasion with a pre-season launch on Monday 21st September 2009.
The launch will also see the unveiling of the new Glasgow Rocks youth structure which sees 8 new teams fall under the Glasgow Rocks name. The Glasgow Rocks are now proud to be represented at Cadette level, Junior level, division 1 and 2 Senior Mens, Senior Womens, Junior Womens, and Cadette Womens levels.
This newly formed youth structure is the realisation of a long term goal of the Rocks organisation to develop the game of basketball from the grass roots up and cement a pathway from the part-time to professional game. The Rocks hope that this will allow talented youngsters to develop their talent and reach their full potential within Scotland.
The Glasgow partnership will see the Rocks ultimately play their home games from the new National Indoor Sports Arena (NISA) being built in Glasgow's east end. Until the NISA facility is ready in 2011/2012 the Rocks will be based at the Kelvin Hall which will play host to the exciting launch on September 21st.
The launch will allow fans to see the first team Rocks squad take to the court as they take on USA Select in a pre-season friendly. The Rocks new youth teams will also have the opportunity to showcase their talent at half time. All squads will be kitted out in brand new adidas strips which will be unveiled to fans for the first time on the night. Fans will also have the opportunity to be the first to buy the new kit from the new adidas outlet in the Kelvin Hall foyer.
In addition to the showcase event there will be a youth basketball coaching session taking place pre-game on the Rocks home court. Players from the USA Select squad will put youngsters through their paces in a fun and friendly environment. Boys and girls of all abilities are invited to take part in the session which will run from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. The cost for the clinic is just £5 which includes entry to the game to follow.
The Rocks in conjunction with Culture and Sport Glasgow will also be hosting a Coaching Clinic for all qualified basketball coaches. USA Select Coach Sean Kilmartin will host the pre-match session which will include practical demonstrations and a question and answer session. The coaching clinic is free to all certified coaches and all in attendance will receive free entry to the launch and game to follow. Rocks Player/Coach Sterling Davis will also be in attendance.
NOTES
The Rocks compete in the British Basketball League (BBL) – Britain's top professional league.
The Rocks were founded in 1998 as the Edinburgh Rocks and played their first four (4) seasons at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Arena.
The Rocks moved to Braehead Arena in 2003 and were renamed the Scottish Rocks.
The Rocks won the BBL Playoff Championship in 2003, their first season after the move to Braehead Arena.
The newly named Glasgow Rocks will open the 2009/10 season on Sunday 27th September against Newcastle Eagles at Kelvin Hall (tip-off 5.00pm).
Tickets for the Launch night are £2 adults, £1 child/concession. The official unveiling will begin at 6.30pm with game tip-off at 7.30pm. Tickets are available to purchase online at www.glasgowrocks.co.uk. For larger group bookings contact the Rocks office on 0141 334 4600.
Culture and Sport Glasgow is the organisation established to promote the very best in cultural and sporting activity across the city, delivering key services on behalf of Glasgow City Council.
Source: www.bbl.org.uk
