Exciting Times Ahead:National Youth Team Trials Set for Cardiff And Wrexham – with Special Guests Kieron Achara and Stef Collins
With the application deadlines behind us, the countdown to the highly anticipated National Youth Team Trials is officially on! On 31 August and 1 September, Basketball Wales will host trials in Cardiff and Wrexham, where young athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a spot in our new-look youth performance programme.
But that’s not all—we have some big news to share!
Kieron Achara: A Legendary Presence at the Trials
We are thrilled We are thrilled to announce that Kieron Achara, former Great Britain Men’s Captain and Olympian, will attend the national team trials in Cardiff (South) and Wrexham (North). Kieron brings a wealth of experience from his illustrious basketball career, and we are honoured to have him with us.
Currently working as the ‘Consultant Technical Lead’ for the British Basketball Federation, Kieron will assist Basketball Wales in identifying the most talented national team prospects during our trial sessions. His expertise and eye for talent will be invaluable as we select the best young players in Wales to join our new-look programme.
Stef Collins: Inspiring the Next Generation
We are also delighted to confirm that Stef Collins, former GB Women’s Captain, Olympian, and current Cardiff Archers WBBL Head Coach, will attend the trials in Cardiff. Stef’s experience and leadership, both on and off the court, make her a perfect role model for our aspiring athletes. Stef’s presence will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Welsh basketball talent.
A Word from Our Leadership
“We are delighted to have both Kieron and Stef at our National Youth Team Trials weekend,” said COO Gavin Williams. “It’s important to have GB representation at events like this because we want to strengthen that bond with the GB pathway. We have two brilliant GB ambassadors in Kieron and Stef, whose knowledge and expertise will prove invaluable.” Performance Director Phil Gordos added: “I’m looking forward to seeing our best young talent in action, and I’m very hopeful for the future of the programme. I believe our changes will enable us to develop and nurture our talent, including coaches and support staff. We aim to help them fulfil their potential, raise standards in Wales, and increase Welsh representation at the GB level. It’s an exciting time for the game in Wales.”
We can’t wait to see the talent on display, and we look forward to welcoming our young athletes as they take their first steps toward representing Wales on the international stage.
