THE Jersey Basketball Association is preparing for a busy fortnight of inter-island and international action, with Team Jersey sides set to compete against opposition from Guernsey, England and Luxembourg across six days of fixtures.
From junior age groups through to senior representation, the island’s leading basketball talent will take to the court at Beaulieu and Oakfield in a packed schedule aimed at showcasing the growth of the sport locally.
The programme begins this weekend with Team Jersey’s under-14 girls, under-16 boys and under-16 girls all facing Essex opposition at Beaulieu, before attention quickly turns towards the traditional inter-island contests with Guernsey.
The senior clashes between Jersey and Guernsey remain the headline fixtures of the schedule, with the women’s and men’s sides both in action at Oakfield on Saturday 6 June.
Jersey Basketball Association president Paul Milbank believes the upcoming run of fixtures highlights the progress being made across the island’s basketball pathway.
“The future of Jersey basketball is very bright indeed,” he said.
Milbank added that the inter-island matches continue to play a major role in the local calendar, giving players the opportunity to represent Jersey in competitive fixtures, while also testing themselves against strong visiting opposition from the UK and Europe.
Among those looking forward to the occasion is junior girls coach Timea Kraft, who says the focus remains firmly on development and enjoyment for her young squad.
“We’re just going to have fun and give our best,” she said. “Most of my girls are only 13 or 14 years old, and four of the juniors are also involved with the senior team as well.”
Kraft also believes the fixtures offer an important opportunity for Jersey’s women and girls to continue closing the gap on their Guernsey counterparts.
“All I want is to get a bit closer to Guernsey teams at women level as well, if we can start to compete a little bit,” she added.
Alongside the Guernsey fixtures, Luxembourg side VIBBALL will also visit the island, with Jersey’s under-21 men and under-18 boys both facing international opposition.
Under-18 and 21 coach Callum Gilmour believes the tournament could prove to be an important moment for the sport locally, with Jersey welcoming visiting sides from both England and Luxembourg alongside the traditional inter-insular fixtures.
“It’s a new thing for Jersey basketball to host and it’s not been done like this before,” he said. “Hopefully it becomes a stepping stone for bringing more teams and more people to the island.
“The under-18s have grown massively this season. We put them into Division One and they’ve held their own fighting for a play-off spot, which has been really impressive.
“Winning the under-18 and under-21 titles last year brings pressure, but I think we can go into these games with confidence.”
The association is hopeful strong home support across both weekends can help create a lively atmosphere for the players, particularly during the senior inter-island clashes.
Skipton International, sponsors of Team Jersey Basketball, have also backed the tournament and the continued development of the game on island.
In a message included within the official Team Jersey Game Guide, the company said its support reflected a commitment to “creating opportunity, supporting ambition and helping local people thrive.”
Fixtures begin on Saturday 23 May at Beaulieu, before the action continues throughout the following week and concludes with the senior inter-island weekend at Oakfield on 6 and 7 June.
Girls Under-16 Squad: Maya Kraft (c), Kiara Oliveira (co-c), Nancy Thurborn, Kornelia Myk, Eimia Blay, Alicja Dobrovolska, Lea Bannon, Ronia Smith, Cara Howe, Kiranee Mitchel, Jeilissa Gonzales, Hannah Andreii Coaches: Timea Kraft, Mikel Hida
Boys Under-14 Squad: Ash Senior, Boris Gruna, CJ Gallichan, Colby Dustin De Mesa, Dorian Leszczynski, Emir Balanon, Isaac Le Cornu, Jody Chihungwa, Joe Wilkinson, Jude Pirouet, Jurek Cubbin, Nathan Le Corre, Nathan Milbank, Sebastian Perez Coaches: Mathieu Dubourg, Katy Grady
Boys Under-16 Squad: Adam Cottrell, Sam Renouf, Sam Cruickshank, Max Prokopowicz, Henry Skrivelis, Drew Marques, Joshua Sikapizye, Alex Stewart, Connor Fitzpatrick, Micah Francis, Callum Allaway, Tom Agis Coach: Aigars Skrivelis
Boys Under-18 Squad: Afonso Cardoso, Arthur Andrews, George Alderson, Jaycee Bacayo, Josh Penalba, Kobe Everett, Micah Francis, Mladen Pesic, Myles Chihungwa, Rufus Smith, Zach Doyle, Zack Cepliel Coaches: Callum Gilmour, Jake Ollie-Hall
Boys Under-21 Squad: Alex Agapie, Anthony Dubourg, Auto Jumpatgong, Bruce Marques, Casey Thurbon, Harry Smith, Jesper Jensen, Jorge Dena, Lukundo Sikapizye, Milo Kutvolgyi, Nuno Pereira, Spear Dena, Tommy Little
Fixtures:
Saturday 23 May – Beaulieu
10.30am: U14 Essex v U14 Jersey Girls
12.30pm: U15 Essex v U16 Jersey Boys
2.30pm: U14 Essex v U16 Jersey Girls
Sunday 24 May – Oakfield Court 3
9.15am: U15 Essex v U16 Luxembourg Boys
11am: U16 Guernsey v U14 Essex Girls
12.45pm: U16 Guernsey v U15 Essex Boys
2.30pm: U18 Jersey v U18 Guernsey Boys
Sunday 24 May – Beaulieu
5pm: U20 Luxembourg v U21 Jersey
Monday 25 May – Oakfield
9.15am: U16 Jersey v U16 Guernsey Boys
11am: U16 Jersey v U16 Guernsey Girls
12.45pm: U20 Luxembourg v U18 Guernsey Boys
2.30pm: U16 Luxembourg v U16 Guernsey Boys
Tuesday 26 May – Beaulieu
9.30am: U16 Jersey v U16 Luxembourg Boys
11.45am: U20 Luxembourg v U18 Jersey Boys
