Club Newsletter - End of 1st Quarter for 25/26 Season

To all members and parents,

What a summer it’s been! For those unfamiliar, I distribute this newsletter every quarter, as many of you participate in just one facet or team - and there’s much more happening within the Berkshire Kings & Queens Club.

Latest Updates:

Since our previous May newsletter, the club has been very busy:

• Try-outs: Our official club try-outs resulted in an expanded lineup - eight teams are competing this season, up from last year’s six.

• Additional Teams: The men’s division now includes two teams, the Monarchs and the Knights. They’ve recently played a friendly match, which I had the pleasure of refereeing.

• Club Pathway: We offer a comprehensive progression from U10s all the way to U18s and adult basketball.

• Tournaments: This summer marked our inaugural 3x3 mini tournament, featuring combined U10/U12, U14/U16, U18/Men’s, and Ladies competitions. Results were mixed, but it was a promising start and everyone seemed to have fun.

• Summer League: Our first-ever summer league brought together players U16 and older, with mixed genders participating. Despite late player entries, the event was a great success - everyone got involved, stayed active, and strengthened community ties. It was especially valuable for newcomers, who got to meet the whole club and build social connections.

• Fixtures to Date: The season is underway! Adults have played eight pre-season games and the men’s & women’s squads have complete one league match. We’ve also begun competing in the Berkshire (Bracknell CVL), where early results include some close finishes and several decisive wins.

• Ladies’ Events:  Anita has organised laser quest outings and other activities for the Queens. We aim to host similar events across the club’s other squads.

• Awards Day: Our expanded venue hosted a major awards day, celebrating all six squads from last year with recognition and gratitude. While memorable, the event was a bit lengthy; next year we’re planning separate Senior and Junior awards ceremonies.

• New Venue: Due to scheduling issues at our former location, Wednesday sessions have moved to a new venue. We invested between £1,000 and £2,000 in two hoops. While there are pros and cons, we’re satisfied with the change for now.

• New Equipment: With £2,000 invested in new basketballs and a brand-new scoreboard, the teams enjoy upgraded gear, and even more equipment is on the way.

• Staff & Qualifications:  We'd like to welcome Nino and Oki, our two new staff members, meaning each squad now benefits from an assistant coach. The club continues to invest in its staff, covering costs for two table officiating courses, two refereeing courses, and two coaching courses.

• New Kit (more information below)

Aims for the Next Three Months

• Register a group of players in the Buckinghamshire CVL to increase competitive opportunities.

• Organise the upcoming coaches’ core meeting to enhance development for both players and coaching staff in preparation for the coming year.

• Conduct coaching staff observations to ensure ongoing growth and improvement within the club for all participants.

• Launch a dedicated development session for women who require additional training time and support.

Payments & Leavers Due to Non-Payment

Unfortunately, we have had to ask some players to leave the club for non-payment of fees. We understand there may be challenges in paying and have communicated with those affected. All fees are due on the 1st of each month — unpaid fees may result in players missing matches or leaving the club. We are willing to support families, especially new members managing multiple expenses, to help them continue playing.

Kits

We are pleased to inform you that kit deliveries have been completed, albeit with a significant delay of approximately 6-8 weeks. While the away kit arrived in an incorrect colour, we are satisfied with the current kit and grateful for your understanding. Additionally, we are delighted to confirm that all players will receive an extra kit at no additional cost.

We would like to sincerely acknowledge  the  contributions  of those who made  this possible:

• Conor (father of Cillian & Molly) from ESPCM Construction.

• Kashif (Eisa’s father) for his donation to the U12 team.

• Sarah Wilder, whose business Pathlight Inclusion Solutions provided support for the Queens kit;

• Kirsty (Leo’s mother) and her business Ascot Butchers for supporting the U18 team.

• James from Berkshire Estate Agents for his donation to the Men’s team.

• All parents for their payments and ongoing assistance.

Through these generous contributions and additional support from the club, we successfully raised approximately £3,500 to supply 80 kits.

For our newer players, please be advised that while spare kits were available, it is essential for new members to acquire their kit as soon as possible. If a new player joins after you, any spare kit will be allocated to them, which may affect your eligibility to play. Each player is guaranteed a minimum of four games with a kit; thereafter, Kit allocation will be reviewed on a game-by-game basis. Prompt orders help ensure uninterrupted participation, but with only one reported kit order from the manufacturer, delaying your purchase could jeopardize your place in the squad.

To secure your kit, please use the following link:

https://www.sixthmanbasketball.co.uk/berkshire-kings

Club Cap on Players

In response to the club's continued growth and commitment to developing both individuals and teams, we are implementing player caps to ensure every member receives adequate attention, space, and time for learning and development. This approach will help us maintain a high-quality experience for all players.

Youth Teams (U10’s – U18’s)

For our youth squads, we have established clear limits on team and training player numbers. Each team from U10’s through to U18’s will have a maximum of 12 team players and 3 training-only players, bringing the total to 15 players per age group. This structure ensures that each child benefits from focused coaching and a supportive environment.

Team Current Training

U10's 11 1

U12’s 9 4

U14’s 12 0

U16’s 11 0

U18’s 6 1

As shown above, these numbers reflect our current squad sizes. Should a particular team reach its cap, we will review available sessions and advise parents on alternatives. Additionally, if demand continues, we may introduce new sessions or even establish second teams to accommodate more players.

Adult Teams (Queens & Men’s)

For adult teams, including both the Queens and Men’s squads, we allow for slightly larger groups. Each team can register up to 15 playing members, with an additional allowance for 5 training-only players. Upon reaching capacity, we will again explore options such as forming another team or offering dedicated development sessions.

Team Current Training

Kings Monarchs 10 0

Kings Knights 7 1

Queens 15 5

Our men's team will continue to grow, especially as we currently have three U18’s players stepping up to this squad. For the Queens, prospective new players will be invited to trial sessions, after which the committee and coaches will conduct a vote to determine whether the player should be added to the team. This process is designed to prevent overcrowding, allowing us to focus on supporting both the existing squads and those who have shown long-term commitment to the club.

Extra sessions

As you know, the club are a keen advocate for players having the opportunity to play up an age group, as it can be beneficial for their development. However, it has come to our attention that a number of players have been attending extra sessions without this being previously discussed with parents or the players themselves as well as this not being paid for.

For health and safety reasons, we have always been taking registers to keep track of attendance. We are now closely reviewing who has been attending additional sessions and cross-referencing this with registrations and payments.

If it is found that you have been attending more sessions than you are allocated or have paid for, starting from 01/11/2025, you will receive a message informing you that your fees will be increasing to reflect the extra sessions. We have already outlined the costs for each sessions, and if you are unsure, please refer to the club documents for the session rates.

Regarding players playing up, while we fully support the idea in principle, it does not automatically guarantee a spot in the team or the right to play up. The decision ultimately rests with the coaches, who will consider factors such as the player's talent, ability, physical size, age, and the needs of the club. Just because another child, friend, or player may be playing up does not mean this will be the case for everyone. Each decision is made individually to ensure the best outcomes for both the players and the club as a whole.

We appreciate that not every parent or player will be happy about the outcome when they ask whether they should play up an age group or not. However, we believe that these decisions are always made in the best interest of the player, considering their long-term engagement and development. Our priority is to ensure each player has a positive, supportive experience that is appropriate for their stage of development, even if that means sometimes making difficult decisions.

PAYG

Lastly, we would like to address the topic of pay-as-you-go sessions. As previously mentioned, our club does not generally operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, as we are required to pay for our court bookings in advance. This is a significant financial commitment, with the cost averaging around £2,500 per month. If we were to rely solely on pay-as-you-go payments and a number of players were unable to attend due to holidays, injuries, or other reasons, the club's financial stability could quickly be jeopardised, potentially leading to debt or even the club folding.

For this reason, our primary model is membership-based, which provides consistency and security for both players and the club. We have encountered many individuals who, after attending trial sessions, immediately request a pay-as-you-go option. Despite numerous explanations about why this isn't feasible, some still insist, and unfortunately, if they do not commit to membership, we cannot accommodate them long-term.

However, in an effort to be inclusive and not turn away keen players, we are introducing a limited pay-as-you-go option starting from 01/11/2025. This will be available only for the Saturday open scrimmage session from 14:00 to 15:00, at a cost of £8.50 per session, plus any spond app administrative fees.

Players must book and pay in advance via the app before arrival—there will be no walk-ins allowed. Attendance will be capped at 10 players on a first-come, first-served basis. If the group is full and payment hasn’t been made, additional players will be turned away.

Existing members who pay for regular sessions will continue with their current arrangements, and this new pay-as-you-go option is designed to provide an alternative for those who cannot commit to full membership but still wish to play occasionally. All pay-as-you-go participants will be required to join the dedicated Spond groups for communication and booking purposes.

This initiative aims to boost engagement within the local community and may encourage new players to eventually join as members. Please be aware that if the system is abused or becomes unsustainable, we reserve the right to withdraw the pay-as-you-go offering at any time. Our intention is to balance inclusivity with the ongoing health and future of the club.

Acknowledgement & Gratitude

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful sponsors, whose generous support has enabled us to fund our brilliant new kit for the season. Their backing makes a real difference to the club, and we’re proud to wear their logos on the court. Special appreciation goes to Kashif for his tireless efforts in organising and managing all the kit orders—he’s kept us kitted out and looking sharp!

A massive thank you also to all the parents and players whose enthusiasm, commitment, and encouragement have played a crucial role in our successes this season. Your willingness to pitch in, travel for matches, and support each other truly brings out the best in our club community.

We’re grateful to our dedicated coaching staff and welcome the new additions who have helped us grow both in skill and spirit. Our deepest appreciation goes out to our family members for their unwavering support, especially Celine, and to my parents for always being there behind the scenes. Anita deserves a special mention for expertly organising club events and helping things run smoothly.

Of course, it goes without saying, but we must also thank the committee, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the club, ensure everything runs smoothly, and oversee the financial side and payments. Their careful decision-making consistently steers us towards the best possible outcomes, safeguarding the club’s future and success. Their dedication and commitment truly keep the club on course and are deeply appreciated by all.

If anyone would like to get involved with planning future events for our younger groups, please do let us know—many hands make light work, and fresh ideas are always welcome. As the season continues, we want to reiterate our thanks to everyone for your ongoing support, positivity, and commitment. We couldn’t do it without you!

Best Regards

Coach Al