Basketball Triumphs at Annual Secondary 3X3 Competition

The annual Inspiration Trust 3X3 Basketball Tournament returned to the University of East Anglia’s SportsPark on Thursday 5th February, with all 9 Trust secondary schools shooting hoops throughout the day. With over 300 male and female students from year 7-10 participating in fast-paced basketball action, facilitated by fantastic referees from local basketball associations, the Trust demonstrated the continuous growth of the sport. 

3X3 basketball, a thrilling version of the sport where teams of 3 play in a single halfcourt, is growing in popularity across the country and beyond, with UK Sport pledging over £4 million to the sport in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Our schools participated in a round-robin style tournament, in a massive 288 games played in total throughout the day. The event was a spectacle, with all 5 sports halls at the UEA SportsPark being used to create 12 simultaneously running 3X3 basketball courts. 

Paul Wayman, Trust Sports Coordinator said: 

“Seeing the Inspiration Trust 3X3 basketball tournament grow in success, year after year, brings us so much joy. The skill level and tactical awareness of the players has really stepped up as more and more of our Trust players are pursuing the sport at club, regional and national level. Combine this with an intense level of competitiveness and a dazzling display of sporting values, the students did their schools proud.  

A big thank you goes out to the fantastic group of officials. We were fortunate to have the Crew Chief for the day, who was awarded the 2023 Basketball England Young Official of the Year and now captain of our Supernovas basketball team. PE staff from across the Trust were fantastic in coaching teams, getting players to fixtures and taking on first aid responsibilities.” 

The tournament attracted skilled basketballers but was also an opportunity for many players to take part in their first ever competitive basketball event, and giving inexperienced players a taste of the speed, agility and finesse demonstrated in basketball matches. The sheer size of this event shows how there has never been greater opportunities for young people to get involved in basketball, with numerous clubs across the county that accommodate for all abilities. We were grateful to have representatives from clubs across the county in attendance to give our students pointers and advice on how they could join a club local to them. 

As well as with a local basketball club, players who are interested in getting a taste for elite level basketball can apply to our Inspiration Trust Basketball Academy for students aged 16 to 19 who attend Jane Austen College Sixth Form and/or Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form. The Astros (Men’s) team compete in the College Basketball League (CBL), and the Supernovas (Women’s) team compete in the AOC East, the Trust is embracing the popularity of the sport, committed to bringing it to as many students as possible. 

All players received a certificate for participating, and all teams had their photograph taken to be framed and sent to be displayed in their respective academy. Officials and Basketball Academy students also had the opportunities to nominate players to receive all-star and most valuable player (MVP) trophies from each age category, alongside the individual tournament medal winners. Results and MVP winners can be seen below. 

Most Valuable Players 

Year 7 Girls – Alice (Jane Austen College) 

Year 7 Boys – Alfie (East Point Academy) 

Year 8 Girls – Willow (Thetford Academy) 

Year 8 Boys – Monty (Jane Austen College) 

Year 9 Girls – Molly (Great Yarmouth Charter Academy) 

Year 9 Boys – Chadrak (King Edward VII Academy) 

Year 10 Girls – Isabelle (East Point Academy) 

Year 10 Boys – Adnan (Hethersett Academy)