A GROUP of female basketball stars swapped the basketball court for Number 10 Downing Street as they were asked to take part in an educational workshop with the Prime Minister’s wife.
Ten Year 9 pupils from The Bemrose School spoke with the PM’s wife Akshata Murty and Basketball England athletes Orlan Jackson and Shanice Beckford-Norton about how their lives have been shaped by the sport.
The invitation was part of Mrs Murty’s ‘Lessons at 10’ initiative, which brings children from across the UK to Downing Street with the aim of giving them a unique experience through workshops and activities, and to encourage them to love learning by hearing from people in different industries.
The pupils – who were joined by youngsters from Westminster City School in London – also took part in a 3×3 basketball coaching clinic outside Number 10, with skills, drills and mini games.
Martin Rowe is Head of School at Bemrose. He said: “It was a unique and memorable experience for the pupils, and we were honoured to be representing The Bemrose School.
“To get the chance to visit Downing Street and to meet with Mrs Murty was a privilege.”
According to Sport England’s Active Live survey, more than 344,000 adults aged 16-plus play basketball twice a month and nearly 1.2 million children and young people play it every week.
Additionally, there are millions of basketball fans in the UK and, earlier this year, The Bemrose School arranged for pupils to watch professional team Leicester Riders.
