Raiders announce exciting Academy development

The Plymouth University Raiders have announced an exciting development for the club.

The Raiders Academy will be based at City College Plymouth for the foreseeable future, and have announced that American Chris Bevin will take over as the Head Coach for the Academy.

City College Plymouth has already agreed to host the Raiders BBL team’s strength and conditioning and player development programmes, and the Raiders National League team will train and play their games there as well. The Raiders are also discussing several new and exciting developments with City College Plymouth for the future.

“The purpose of the Plymouth Raiders Academy is to develop players to the BBL level,” said new Academy Head Coach Bevin. “We will teach players basic fundamentals and the proper way to play basketball. As Head Coach, one of my objectives is to develop more local talent and bring attention to Plymouth developing our reputation as being the 'go-to academy in England'.”

Bevin has experience playing professionally throughout Europe, and has also run his own very successful academy in Florida, where he attracted players from Europe, and Australia.

“I believe basketball in England is an under-developed area and has really great potential. Through my involvement in basketball over the years, I have developed an advanced understanding of how the US college system works and I will be using my knowledge to help players in our Academy obtain a scholarship through the AAU system in the USA. Personally, I have experience both playing & coaching in the U.S. and Europe. From this, I have drawn insight into what the differences are between the two continents, and what European players need to do to prepare for the changeover into College basketball. Alternatively, if they decide to play pro in Europe I can give guidance on the steps they need to take.”

Bevin has moved to Plymouth this summer, and has already taken up his role with the Academy. He is busy talking to players who are seriously considering the Raiders Academy for September 2014. “I have successfully placed players from various parts of Europe, in prep-schools, academies and Universities in the United States. Running the Academy in Florida definitely prepared me for my role here. I had to manage over 40 players from over 10 different countries around the world. With players already in the pipeline from: France, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Ireland and Portugal ready to come to Plymouth Raiders Academy, it is already starting to have the same feel and I am looking forward to working with all the international players as well as the English players.”

Players won’t fail to be impressed with the great facilities, staff enthusiasm & expertise and central location of City College Plymouth. The Raiders club are assisting with renovating the sports centre there and will have a great situation for players and the various Raiders teams who will play and train there. The College offers players a fantastic education coupled with staff expertise that we just couldn’t better. There will be plenty of on-court hours for players to work with Bevin, Raiders Head Coach Jay Marriott, Division 3 Coach Matt Hatchell, Academy coach Danny Stevens and some of the BBL players – particularly Nick George and Brent Benson. One of the strengths of the Raiders academy will be the breadth of experience of coaches and players that academy students will get a chance to work with. City College Plymouth has been fantastic, and with various foundation degrees available there, it’s a direct pathway to Plymouth University which makes for a seamless transition for our players to move onto University and stay in the area.

Bevin continued ”I can tell City College Plymouth is very excited about our partnership; they are already working with us closely to develop the Academy further, which will only help us to develop more local players and attract better players to the area. I predict some very productive times ahead.”

"From the first time I met Raiders’ Head Coach Jay Marriott and the Chief Executive Dave Briggs, I could see they were serious about the further development of the academy. I am extremely excited about being a part of it and helping the players achieve their goals, whether that be to play professionally or play college basketball in the USA."