Crimson Knights London Basketball Club

EL Rophe Across Boundaries emphasizes a preventative solution-focused adventure therapy for young people aged 6-25 in South East London, UK (Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth). ERAB through Edutainment and peer-themed activities enhances social integration, inclusion, training, rehabilitation and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people. This is a unique approach that facilitates learning outdoors with mentoring and coaching for young people Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEET), in care and at risk targeting behavioural change through adventures. ERAB is targeting families, children and young people at risk of dropping out of school, in care, ex-offenders, and others that need our help. Through recreational edutainment and adventure, we shall engage our service users in already well established Adventure centres around UK in outdoor education, Self-discovery and leadership adventure to rekindle their potential. https://elrophe.com

Crimson Knights was pioneered by young people who mobilised themselves to form this club. A group of Year 9 students from Deptford Green Secondary School had since Year 7desired to play basketball. They always went to communal cages to play as that was the most convenient place. However, due to safety reasons that are gang related, El Rophe Across Boundaries (ERAB) intervened to provide a safer and professional place for training sessions for these young people in November 2019.

The vision is to equip and inspire young people to take charge of their own lives and to support the club members participate in competitive basketball both locally, nationally and internationally. 

This is a youth led project where young people are equipped to manage club activities. We have mobilized young people to work with the Directors to run this project. As such we have formed a steering committee to ensure that the project is managed well. This project Committee comprises of volunteers that include the Welfare and Safeguarding Officer, Club Secretary and Treasurer. We are going to recruit two professional coaches to conduct all the camps.

The club will be actively involved with providing young people aged 10 – 17 years old with a broad array of training as it relates to improving their skills in basketball. Our mission is to avail opportunities to both boys and girls from South East London discover their potential, develop social skills and improve their health through basketball. Through Basketball Camps, the club will operate on a year round basis providing services that relate to increasing an individual (especially students) ability to play basketball. These camp services will also ensure that high level  school players can continue to refine their skills as they seek athletic scholarships by registering to participate in local and national leagues. 

Since inception of the club, COVID-19 has affected the families of our young people in various ways such as losing jobs, losing relatives and affecting the normal routines of  their lives. This club would like to support as many young people that would not afford to pay the club fees find a haven to play the game they love. Basketball is a sport that helps in using the whole body which will help improve the health status of the young people instead of sitting at home on electronics. In Lewisham and surrounding boroughs do not have many grassroot basketball clubs or alternative games to football which excludes some young people from active sports. Young people only experience basketball during Physical Education in schools, so, this project will enable continuity in playing basketball and improve  physical fitness for the young people. This project will also promote talent for those that would like to acquire scholarships or joining elite basketball. 

The funds raised for this project will cater for equipment such as Uniforms, basketballs, cones, ladders, stationery and vests. We shall also use the funding for an indoor court hire,  fees for coaches, volunteer's training (e.g., safeguarding) and insurance. Finally, for publicity and mobilization by printing flyers and banners.