The University of Worcester has hosted an international camp for budding basketball players from the UK and Spain.
Eighty young players took part in the third annual University of Worcester / Valencia Basket residential camp.
The week-long camp saw coaches from Worcester " both from the University of Worcester and its basketball team Worcester Wolves " join forces with those from Valencia Basket. This came about as a result of the University's partnership agreement with the Spanish club.
Forty players travelled over from Valencia while the UK youngsters involved came from all over the country.
Along with honing their basketball skills in sessions at the University of Worcester Arena, the Spanish youngsters who attend also receive English language classes. This year, organisers invited former Worcester Wolves player Dean Blake to take the lead role of Camp Director.
The collaboration agreement between Valencia and Worcester aims to promote the exchange of expertise, knowledge and co-operation between staff in basketball-related activities, including education and youth engagement.
The University offers student exchanges with the Spanish club and Worcester students studying on Business, Sport Business and Sports Therapy courses have had the opportunity to gain experience on placements with the Spanish club.
Juanjo Rojo, Director of Player Development at Valencia Basket, said: "Once again we have been really happy in Worcester and whilst the camp has been a huge success, it is also great to visit such a beautiful city. We have received a warm reception from our hosts at the University of Worcester and have really enjoyed working with the coaches and young players from the UK and Spain. I have been really impressed by the attitude and commitment of the players."
Mick Donovan, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Worcester and Managing Director of the Worcester Wolves, said: "This is our third year delivering this exceptional camp and we have been thrilled with the number of young people attending." We were delighted to invite a former Wolves player Dean Blake to take the lead as Camp Director and all of the coaches from both countries have worked well together to ensure a great experience for the players." We take great pride in our meaningful partnership with Valencia Basket, which is one of Europe's leading basketball clubs, and this program fits perfectly within our philosophy of sport and education working together."
There are a limited number of places at the University of Worcester available to start in September 2018 for well-qualified applicants.
For more information visit www.worcester.ac.uk or call 01905 855111.