Lightwoods Primary Academy is celebrating one of its pupils after Adrianna, in year 6, was selected for Basketball England’s Aspire Programme, a national pathway for young players aiming to represent England. The programme identifies the most talented players from clubs and schools across the country, making her selection an inspiring achievement at such a young age.
In her first year on the programme, Adrianna earned a place on the U13s West Midlands Girls team and competed in the Central England Inter-Regional Tournament in Bristol in March this year. Playing as a point guard, she led her team on court, organising attacks and helping her teammates find scoring opportunities. Adrianna faced teams from the U13s East Midlands, the U13s South West, and the U14s National Team of Wales, scoring against Wales and impressing coaches, parents and older players with her skill, determination and composure.
School Principal John Ashton said: “We are absolutely delighted for Adrianna. To be selected for the Aspire Programme and represent the West Midlands at such a young age is an incredible achievement. Everyone at Lightwoods has been so excited to follow her sporting journey, and her classmates have been cheering her on every step of the way. We can’t wait to see what she does next and will be supporting her all the way.”
Basketball England is the national governing body for basketball in England. It oversees all aspects of the sport, supporting clubs, players and coaches, and aims to grow basketball efficiently while providing a positive experience for everyone involved. Based at the National Sports Campus, Etihad Campus, Manchester, it manages the day-to-day running of the organisation and the development of the sport nationwide.
The Aspire Programme is the entry point of Basketball England’s Talent Pathway. It is designed for players aged 8 to 15 who are identified as having strong potential to progress nationally. Participants are selected from clubs and schools across the country and take part in intensive skills camps and training sessions. The programme provides foundational development in technique, tactics, and competitive experience.
From Aspire, players can progress to the England Talent Programme and the England Development Programme, which focus on higher-level training, exposure to international styles, and preparation for potential Great Britain selection at U16, U18, U20 and senior levels. Aspire represents the first step on this pathway, making selection a significant milestone for young athletes.
