DEBEN Jutes Basketball Club will hold their second annual sponsors and awards day at Deben High School this Sunday.

Stuart Watson

DEBEN Jutes Basketball Club will hold their second annual sponsors and awards day at Deben High School this Sunday.

The club was formed just over two years ago off the back of a successful season for Deben High School's year eight boys' side.

With the valuable financial backing of sponsors Jutexpo and the resources provided by Deben High School, the new Under-16 side won the Suffolk Under-16 league at their first attempt.

In October 2007 the club was merged with local U14 side Brackenbury Bears in order to offer a continuous outlet once players have exceeded the upper age limit. This season the Bears finished top of the Suffolk Roadshow under long serving coach Kevin Reeve.

This weekend's awards day will be full of action, activities commencing at 11 am with a match between two sides selected from the Brackenbury Bears.

The match will give the club the opportunity to say goodbye to those players who will be moving on to the Jutes U16 side next season and give an opportunity for new players recruited this summer to have a run out.

This game will hopefully be followed by an U11 match, players coming from taster sessions run by Jutes coach Adrian Clarke in the Felixstowe junior schools this summer.

Parents and spectators will then be invited to take part in a shoot out competition, while during the lunch break the player awards will be handed out.

The day will end with an U19 match between Deben Jutes and Kesgrave Kings. The Jutes will field their U16 side plus give a rare game opportunity for those over 16 players who train with the club.

Weather permitting two outdoor courts and balls will be available on a 'come and try' basis.

Sponsors Jutexpo will be represented at the event by Andy Stanhope and David Hyslop, while Suffolk Basketball development officer Kathryn James will also be in attendance.

The open day will also mark the launch of a new initiative by the club. From September this year, subject to funding, the club has entered into a joint venture with Deben High School to provide basketball for children and adults from the age of five upwards.

Junior basketball will be on offer from 10am-3pm on Sundays and 3.30-7.30pm on Mondays for 30 weeks of the year. A big emphasis will be placed on introducing more girls to the game.

The club will also oversee the coaching and management of the Deben High School teams that will take part in the South Suffolk Schools leagues next season.

Also on Mondays the club will offer social basketball to adults, both men and women, under the current 'Get Back Into Sport' initiative from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays.