06/08/09
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk —- Nick O’Leary (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) has accepted the offer to play for the Sheffield Arrows and Sheffield Hallam University 1st team to continue his education and playing career. Nick becomes the second County Upper Basketball player to confirm a place at the next level.
The Sheffield Arrows are coached by Pete Kelly. Last season, the Arrows finished the season with 10 wins and 8 losses, and finished 4th in the EBL Div 1 table. Sheffield defeated the Bristol Academy Flyers in the first round of the EBL Div 1 play-offs 94 – 80, which set up a semi final game against the Reading Rockets. The Rockets proved too tough as the Arrows lost 55 – 76.
Sheffield Hallam University is also coached by Pete Kelly. Last season Hallam finished the season with 8 wins and 2 losses in the BUSA Northern Conference Div 1. Sheffield Hallam almost secured promotion to the North Premier League with a 74 – 73 win against Edinburgh in the first game, but lost 69 – 65 in the second leg of the play-off which denied them the opportunity. Nick is looking forward to contributing towards both teams next season.
Nick had this to say:
“Joining the Sheffield Arrows and Sheffield Hallam Basketball programmes is a huge step for me. It is a fantastic opportunity for me to play Basketball at a high level and to continue my education. I am extremely excited at the prospect of division 1 Basketball and relish the challenge. I know that it won’t be easy but I am prepared to work as hard as I can in Sheffield. I would like to thank the County Upper Basketball Academy for all their help, which has aided me to get to the level of Basketball that I am at. I would like to thank all my team mates, who pushed me to my limits in practice. I would like to thank the school for giving us access to a great education and the Basketball facilities. Finally, I would like to thank Coach Johnson. Every time I stepped on to the Basketball court at County, Coach Johnson pushed me as hard as I could go; he always believed in me so I have to thank him for that. Coach Johnson has been a great mentor both on and off the court and showed me a great deal of dedication; without him I wouldn’t be where I am today. I hope to take the skills and work ethic that I have learned at County Upper into the Sheffield Arrows and Sheffield Hallam Basketball Programmes.”
Coach Johnson Director of County Upper Basketball Academy Commented: “This is great news for Nick. He has now got a fantastic opportunity to continue his basketball and education at the next level. The Sheffield Arrows have a great programme, one that will help Nick develop more as player, while giving him a great education. Nick is a true competitor who gives 100% in every individual and team practice. He had to overcome some injury problems this season to achieve this opportunity. All of us at the County Upper Basketball Academy are proud of his achievement”.
Nick starts pre-season at Sheffield on the 23rd of August.
For further information regarding County Upper Basketball Academy please e-mail the Coach Johnson at djohnson@countyupper.suffolk.sch.uk
