Fletcher’s Team of the Month for December is Le Mont Saint Used basketball team
We spoke to the team’s founder, Jeff Stuart, about their successful first half of the season so far.
We are continuing the unbeaten run that carried us through the whole of last season (we haven’t lost since March 2017!) We’ve only had one change to the squad this year and whilst we don’t get a full turn out for every game we have managed to scrape enough of the guys together to make sure we compete hard each game. It’s tough when the average age of the team is 43 and we’re playing against 18yr old athletes!
We’re confident about the rest of the season and focused on remaining unbeaten for the second season in a row. The Cup competition starts in April and we are confident in doing the double and securing the cup and league titles for 2018/19. The only other silverware up for grabs would be individual honours, and after the MVP for Division 2 being a player from our team for the last four seasons, we are hopeful of keeping that title in the family also.
The basketball scene on island is very much a family. A great social set up and well run by the GBA. The development work that goes on is one of the strengths and the Future Stars program for years 2 to 11 is excellent – with players that have come through the programme now in Island representative squads. This season has seen the development of Under-13 league teams which begin their games in the league this week.
Basketball is a great sport to play. It rewards hard work and that can be from a physical and also cognitive standpoint. As it is a team game it develops great communication, support for teammates, strategic understanding and promotes positive health and wellbeing. High octane, fast-paced, athletic and competitive – all the things that challenge us in our growing years as an over 40s team!
The Future Stars program is a great starting point for school-age kids (futurestarsbasketball@hotmail.co.uk or via facebook), or if you are older and looking to get involved in a new (or re-live an old) challenge then contact guernseybasketball.co.uk. But if you are a lot older, contact me and get involved in the over 40s!