16/09/07 Bristol Academy Flyer II announces new squadBristol Academy Flyers II who will take their place in National League Division IV South West for the 2007/08 season can announce a whole host of new faces for the coming season.The Flyers II team was set up 2 years ago to develop young players to make the step up to play senior National league and bridging the gap between under 18’s and senior level. The team has been extremely successful and has passed up to the Flyers senior team 9 players in the last 2 seasons.“This has been a fantastic achievement for us to develop players and move them up to the senior team. This team is about development and with only a few exceptions this team has an average age of 17 years which is very young in comparison to all of the other senior teams. We know it will be tough each year but we concentrate on developing the young players to move on and gain success at senior level” Danny James, Head Coach.The Flyers are based at Filton College and the majority of players are current or former academy students studying in full time education and following a first class basketball education also. Of this seasons 20 squad members 10 are current academy players and are all involved with the successful Filton College team who have reached 4 National finals in 3 years. There are also students from both UWE and Bristol University as Filton College links into basketball at both institutions.Also joining the club for this season will be two giant senior players to add some experience to the team. 6”9 inch Horst Marschall is an experienced German Centre who has played in the German National League and is currently doing research projects at Bristol University. Also joining the club will be 7”! inch Centre Matt Everitt who has played in numerous clubs since graduating from The College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth.The two giants will join young talented big men like 6”9 inch England Under 16 and Academy player Tom Wood and 6”7 inch Academy player Nick Oldfield as the 4 big players for this team.“We wanted some experienced players mixed in with our young team to help them develop at this level. With Matt and Horst we have genuine size and experience and this will help us to compete with a young team at senior level. I know both Horst and Matt very well and they will impact on these young kids in a positive way and will also look out for them in this more physical division” Mike Bailey Assistant Coach.
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