LANCASHIRE Spinners and Bury Blue Devils basketball clubs have partnered to develop a pathway for players, writes Allen Gunn.

The Bury-based Division One team will aid the current area club with the aim to create an elite junior programme for both boys and girls.

Boy’s basketball will be offered at the under-14s under-16s and under-18s levels while girl’s under-14s, under-16s and a senior team will be fielded, all under the umbrella of Lancashire Spinners Bury.

Despite the amalgamation, the existing staff at Bury Blue Devils will remain in place and, alongside Spinners’ senior management team, work towards strengthening the foundation already established.

Ken Masser, general manager of Lancashire Spinners, said: “We feel the Spinners brand gives us a great chance to take basketball to another level in Bury and to help magnify the terrific programmes already playing in the area.

“At the senior level, Spinners have been committed to giving young British talent an opportunity to play at the highest level possible but knew there was more we could do.

“This merger shows we are not only dedicated to developing young and British talent but doing so without having to go elsewhere to find it. Instead, Lancashire Spinners Bury will work hard to produce elite talent for the men and women’s divisions in house.”

While the aim of the partnership is to ultimately give opportunities for players to participate in the highest divisions, the two clubs hope to increase the number of children playing basketball in the area.

Currently, the senior women’s team competes in National League Division Two and Masser is pleased to have them as part of the new set up.

He added: “It is important to be associated with women’s game. It should be given equal priority at every club and we have made it one to be a part of the movement in building the game rather than having to catch up later.”

The Blue Devils are equally excited for the benefits the partnership offers, recognising the importance of having a national league team at the top the pyramid of success so players have something to aim for.

John Stainton, chairman of Bury Blue Devils, said: “There are always reservations when taking a big step like this. The main issues were to do with the administration and financial aspects of both clubs and how they would affect each other if we combined.

“Other reservations included members feeling we may lose our Bury identity with a change of name but this was alleviated when we realised we would have the town’s name still in the title.

“The Manchester area has a lot of clubs – Magic, Giants and Stockport – all fighting for the same talent and the partnership will hopefully attract players to our organisation and retain the talent we already have.”

Players interested in joining the new Lancashire Spinners junior programmes should contact John Stainton (Boys u14/u16/u18) at stainton_j@sky.com or Nick Ibberson (Girls u14/u16) at n.ibberson874@btinternet.com.