Felixstowe based Deben Jutes Basketball Club’s Annual Sponsors and Awards Day took place recently at Brackenbury Sports Centre playing hosts to local rivals Leiston Lynx with a rotation of games at under 11, under 14, under 18, and Senior levels.

The festivities got under way with an entertaining Under 11 game played with verve and passion by both sides. This was closely followed by a game which heralded the launch of Deben Jutes newly formed Senior team which will take part in the Suffolk Senior League Division to in 2010/2011 season.

The game was preceded by a formal presentation of the new playing kit supplied with a grant from a Suffolk County Council locality fund administered by Felixstowe North and Trimley County Councillor John Goodwin. He and his wife; the Lady Mayor of Felixstowe were on hand to formally present the kit to club coach Adrian Clarke. Further thanks go to Councillor Goodwin for his support in recent fund raising efforts that resulted in a substantial grant from The Suffolk Foundation Grassroots Scheme to support the club’s development. Councillor Goodwin has also cemented his links with the club by accepting the position of Honorary President.

At the interval Andrew Stanhope Logistics Director of long term sponsor Jutexpo confirmed their previous four years partnership with the club by presenting a cheque for £700 towards costs of staging next season home league matches at Brackenbury Sports Centre.

Player’s awards were made to members of the clubs u14 Bears side. Joint Players of the year went to Will Jewkes and Henry French. The Most Improved Player trophy went to James Casburn which complemented his recent selection to the Suffolk County u13 squad. A well deserved award of Club Player in her last year as an under 14 was presented to Victoria Coleman.

Special awards of merit went to three outstanding fifteen year olds, Tobi Baker, Ryan Scarff, and Elliot Chapman who have supported the club “beyond the call of duty” acting as mentors, officials, and coaches to the younger players, in addition to outstanding performances for the Deben High School Under 16 side which is managed in partnership with the school.

The hectic day continued with fast and furious competition involving over 60 players observed by a large crowd of spectators helping to celebrate the club’s achievements.

Plaudits go also to Andrew Wildesmith and his Leiston Lynx club for contributing to what turned out to be a shining example of sport in the community. All the games were played in a spirit of fair play and friendship which made the game scores irrelevant.

In addition to the support shown by the sponsors and the County Council further thanks must go to the staff and management of the Brackenbury Sports Centre for their continued provision of their excellent facilities. The club’s long standing link with Deben High School continues by courtesy of Headmaster Rob Cawley and Head of PE Winston Ewers.

With the club now able to offer progressive transition and outlets for under 11 through to Adults all bodes well for the future of basketball in Felixstowe hopefully for years to come.