Harris Federation Basketball Academy
Welcome to the Harris Federation Basketball Academy. We are very happy to be able to provide our students with an opportunity to excel in one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sports in the country.
We are currently in the process of recruiting players for the 2019-20 season into our academy. Register your interest for our sports programmes here.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Lee McCarthy, Basketball Head Coach, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace on McCarthyL@harriscrystalpalace.org.uk.
The aim of the Basketball Academy
The aim of our Basketball Academy is to provide a pathway for our student athletes that aspire to play basketball at the very highest level that they can possibly achieve. Our student athletes will be committed to their own personal development both on and off the court. They will excel in the classroom and in life as well as they do on the basketball court.
Our coaching staff have decades of professional playing and coaching experience both domestically and abroad in Europe and the USA. They have helped developed players who are now playing professionally in the BBL, professionally in Europe or at college in the USA.
Our staff have put together a comprehensive training programme that will enable every athlete at our basketball academy to push themselves to the next level. Team practices, small group sessions and one-to-one coaching will ensure we get the very best progress from all of our players.
At our basketball academy the student athlete comes first. Individual development, including opportunities on and off the court, will be at the forefront of everything we do.
Domestic competition
There is something for everyone. We will have two teams competing in domestic competitions, providing playing opportunities for all of our students. Starting in the U19 ABL this season, we aim to move up to the EABL in future years, based only on our on court performance.
For our junior players or those not yet ready for the ABL/EABL, we will also be entering the National Schools competitions. We will also be able to provide U18 National League Club basketball for our students through our partnership with the Harris Federation Knights, playing regular weekend fixtures.
European exposure
We will be entering an Academy select team annually into an U18 European tournament. This tournament features some of the top junior clubs in their respective countries, with direct links to their respective professional clubs. This is good exposure and experience for any player thinking of playing pro in Europe after leaving the basketball academy.
USA exposure
For any of our students that have the aspiration, ability and attitude (AAA) to make it to the US for College Basketball we will be able to help provide AAU playing opportunities out in the US during the critical summer NCAA recruitment period.
In addition, we will look to help place our AAA players that have successfully completed their A-Levels or vocational subjects into Post Graduate Basketball Programmes in the USA wherever possible. There will also be other opportunities, with US coaches coming to the UK on scouting trips hosted by our basketball academy.
Coaching and officiating
All of our student athletes will be given the opportunity to undergo training that will give them professional qualifications in coaching and officiating basketball. These qualifications can later be used by our students to pursue an alternative career within the game or could simply add a new dimension to a student’s CV when applying for university.
We are currently in the process of recruiting players for the 2019-20 season into our academy. Register your interest for our sports programmes here. If you would like more information about this or any of the above then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Lee McCarthy
Basketball Head coach
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
