EAST NORFOLK SIXTH FORM COLLEGE BASKETBALL ACADEMY
In partnership with Great Yarmouth Basketball Club
For boys and girls aged 16-19. The East Norfolk Basketball Academy offers student-athletes the chance to access high-level basketball training and competition alongside the wide selection of academic courses at East Norfolk Sixth Form College.
DAILY COACHING & TRAINING
Students can access a structured weekly training programme, including team practices and additional open gym or skill development opportunities where available.
ACADEMIC STUDIES
High-quality further education at the Ofsted-rated 'Good' college for Great Yarmouth. EN is the largest A Level provider in Norfolk, with a 98% A Level pass rate and 100% pass rate in 55 subjects.
COMPETITION PROGRAMME
Playing opportunities in the U19 AOC East League and AOC Regional Tournaments. Through the partnership with Great Yarmouth Basketball Club, eligible students may also have opportunities to train or compete within the club pathway, including U18 and senior basketball where appropriate.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Sports Academy students have full access to the college’s fitness suite during opening hours, with tailored training programmes available to support athletic development.
SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING
All fixtures are recorded using state-of-the-art Veo sports camera technology for performance analysis and tactical review, and athletes benefit from access to online resources for technical and tactical development.
BASKETBALL QUALIFICATIONS
Where available, students may have the opportunity to work towards basketball coaching or officiating qualifications as part of their wider development.
TRIPS & EVENTS
Optional trips throughout each academic year, including NBL fixtures and the SLB Playoff Finals at the O2 Arena in London.
ANNUAL SPORTS AWARDS
The East Norfolk Sports Academy Awards celebrate achievement across all academies, recognising individual and team success with awards such as Team of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
TYPICAL WEEK
LINKED TO ACADEMY PROGRESS
Participation in the basketball academy programme is directly linked to individual academic progress. The programme will be suspended for students whose behaviour, attendance or academic work falls below the expected standards.
The East Norfolk Basketball Academy is led by coaches with experience across college, club, regional and national basketball pathways.
Academy students are supported by a coaching team that understands both player development and the demands of studying at sixth form.
MEET THE COACHES
GEORGE PATTERSON
Head Coach - East Norfolk Basketball Academy
George leads the on-court delivery of the Basketball Academy, supporting players through team practice, fixtures, individual development, video review and preparation for competition.
A former standout player in the East Norfolk programme, George was named East Norfolk Sportsman of the Year in 2022/23 and led the AoC East league in scoring in 2023/24 with 25.6 points per game.
As a coach, George embraces a modern games-based approach to player development, helping players learn to create and recognise offensive advantages, make quick decisions and play with confidence in realistic game situations.
George is also Head Coach of Great Yarmouth Basketball Club’s U16 National League and U18 teams. He continues to be a standout player in the Great Yarmouth men’s team, strengthening the link between Academy, club and senior basketball.
JAMES LONG
Basketball Development Coordinator
James supports the wider development of the Basketball Academy, including recruitment, fixtures, player pathway links, club connections, media, programme planning and opportunities for students beyond playing.
James is Chair of Great Yarmouth Basketball Club and has experience across local, regional and national basketball development. He previously worked for Basketball England as a Participation Programme Manager, where he supported national participation projects including the Jr. NBA programme, and has also served in regional and county basketball roles.
At East Norfolk, James helps connect the Academy with the wider basketball pathway across Great Yarmouth and East Norfolk, including junior club basketball, senior basketball, coaching, officiating, volunteering and community opportunities.
JOINING THE BASKETBALL ACADEMY
Students interested in joining the East Norfolk Basketball Academy should apply to study at East Norfolk Sixth Form College and register for one of the college’s Sports Academy Day events during the year.
Academy Day gives prospective students the opportunity to take part in a basketball session, meet the coaching team, learn more about the wider Sports Academy programme and find out how basketball can fit alongside their chosen academic courses.
Basketball ability, attitude and potential are considered as part of the Academy Day process, but previous club-level basketball experience is not essential. We welcome student-athletes who love the sport, want to improve and are willing to work hard within a team environment.
Available Academy Day dates are listed on this page. Please select the relevant Sports Academy Day event from the booking list and complete the registration through TicketSource.
ACADEMY DAY
East Norfolk Sixth Form College runs Sports Academy Day events during the academic year for prospective students interested in Basketball, Football, Netball, Athletics and other academy pathways.
Academy Day is more than a trial. It is designed to give students in Years 10–13 a proper introduction to life as a student-athlete at East Norfolk, including sport-specific training, information about academic courses, strength and conditioning, performance support, campus tours and the chance to meet coaches and current Academy students.
For basketball, Academy Day includes an on-court session where students can show their ability, attitude, coachability and potential. The Academy welcomes experienced club players, but also recognises the value of athleticism, competitiveness, commitment and a strong desire to improve.
To register, choose one of the East Norfolk Sixth Form – Sports Academy Day events shown in the booking list on this page.
PRESEASON TRAINING CAMP
Students enrolled in the Basketball Academy will be invited to a one-day preseason training camp at the end of the summer holidays (typically the last week in August).
The camp serves as an essential introduction to the Basketball Academy programme, including the defensive and offensive principles employed by the academy teams, and the ethos and philosophy that underpins the programme.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For basketball-specific questions, please contact us through the Contact Us page and select Basketball Academy from the subject dropdown.
Students and families can also attend an East Norfolk Sixth Form College Open Event to explore the campus, speak to staff and learn more about the courses available.
For the best introduction to the Basketball Academy programme, prospective students should register for a Sports Academy Day through East Norfolk Sixth Form College.
BOOK AN ACADEMY DAY
Select one of the East Norfolk Sixth Form – Sports Academy Day events below to register your place. Academy Day dates are managed by East Norfolk Sixth Form College through TicketSource.
If no suitable Academy Day is currently listed, please check back later or contact us through the Contact page and select Basketball Academy from the subject dropdown.
HOW TO APPLY
Click the button below to apply to study at East Norfolk Sixth Form College. Students interested in the Basketball Academy should also register for a Sports Academy Day so they can take part in the basketball session and learn more about the programme.