WHO WE ARE +
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Spartans Basketball Academy is a fun and 'All Inclusive' Basketball Academy in Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond, Epsom and Elmbridge, Surrey providing an outstanding sporting outlet for girls and boys of ALL abilities in School Years 1-13. We compete in the National League, Surrey League and have Spartans Club Tournaments for U6-U18s. We also coach boys and girls who are involved in the Basketball England Aspire Programme for the South East Region.
DEVELOPING SKILL - IMPROVING CONFIDENCE - ENCOURAGING TEAMWORK
Spartans Basketball Academy was founded in 2016 by GB International Track & Field Athlete, Head of PE and Basketball England All Girls Ambassador, Wayne Martin.
"We teach and empower children to conduct themselves with dignity and integrity, to persevere through adversity and compete with pride while developing a commitment to teamwork, our Academy and their community".
At Spartans we deliver fun, active and constructive coaching sessions that focus on children developing their skill, improving their confidence and encouraging teamwork where every child feels valued. While some clubs only focus on winning, we also focus on providing opportunities for children of all abilities to play basketball. It's not just about winning, its about dealing with loss, coming back stronger and being a role model to your peers!
WE
AIN'T NO ORDINARY CLUB!
JOIN THE HYPE!
The Leading Basketball Academy for children in Kingston and Epsom
OUTSTANDING COACHING FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
WAYNE MARTIN
Founder, Managing Director + U16s Coach
Spartans Basketball Academy was created in 2016 with a simple vision of creating fun, active and constructive coaching sessions that focus on player development.
Having a 9 year old son at the time, Wayne wanted to create a club where his son would not only thrive from the social and confidence boosting effects a team sport offers, but where he would receive specific and constructive coaching to make him a better player. Improving skill, strategic thinking, ball handling and coordination in a fun and encouraging environment is what Wayne hopes to achieve for all children who attend Spartans Basketball Academy.
Good coaching is the key to understanding and nurturing talent within any sport. Wayne is a Qualified Teacher and former Head of PE. He's coached over 500 basketball Games for various clubs and school teams from U6s to U19s, where his basketball coaching has led to his teams reaching the last eight of the National Championships. His players have reached Regional standard and beyond as well as achieving scholarships in the U.S.
Wayne is a Qualified Track & Field Coach and as an athlete, represented Great Britain as a Senior 400m athlete on a number of occasions, also winning the BUSA (BUCS) Championships for 400m. Wayne has a vast experience and knowledge of training and competing at the highest level and wants to pass this knowledge on to children through this wonderful game of basketball! His many years of training alongside Olympic Champions and being trained by the best Track and Field coaches in the country has given him a desire to win and a coaching style to get the very best out of his players.
Wayne has led successful basketball tours and taken numerous teams to the US, Canada, Italy and Spain. Wayne ultimately wants children to play basketball, have fun, make new friends and reach their true potential! His favourite basketball players are LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant. His sporting heroes include Daley Thompson, Sir Steve Redgrave and Tommie Smith.
HASAN AKOGLU
U14s Coach
Coach Hasan has a love of basketball that goes back to the early nineties where he studied in Turkey. Hasan has been following European basketball very closely since then and has attended a number of finals with great memories. Hasan's core values focus on being open and honest with his players while holding them accountable for their efforts.
Hasan focuses on embracing the
process of growth, which entails the need to focus on how to get better every day to succeed.
The player he admires is Allen "the answer" Iverson who took time to play in Europe for Besiktas.
JOIN THE SPARTANS FAMILY
“Our mission is to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. To provide a space where ALL CHILDREN in the local community can have access to the wonderful game of BASKETBALL, make new FRIENDS and be ACTIVE.”
WAYNE, SPARTANS FOUNDER
MEGAN HAINES
Coach
Megan has played basketball since the age of 9 years old and is currently studying Sports Therapy at the University of Essex. Megan has travelled the world playing basketball in Ireland, U.S. for 18 months for the University of Charleston and Ohio and Shawnee State University, Denmark and France. Megan has played for England U15s and Great Britain U18s and is currently playing for Essex Rebels.
Megan is not only an exceptional talent, she brings knowledge and experience to the court whilst coaching. Megan is extremely competitive, strives for greatness and loves seeing people invested and willing to listen and improve. Megan expects all of her players to give 100% effort, listen, and ensures her players have fun whilst playing basketball. Megan's favourite players are Derrick Rose and Issiah Thomas. As a Point Guard, Megan shares the same attributes as them including her high Basketball IQ which she passes on to all of the players she coaches.
CARA ALLAN
Coach
Cara was on a Sports Scholarship to play basketball in the BUCS Premier League while studying Diagnostic Radiography at London Southbank University. Cara started playing basketball at 4 years old and has played all levels of basketball from CVL to representing South East Region four times in regional tournaments. She has captained the regional team twice!
Cara has played National League since the age of 10 years old and won a national title at U14 National League level which is a tremendous achievement.
A bad shoulder injury at 15 years old resulted in multiple shoulder surgeries and more of a focus on coaching and officiating rather than playing. Cara started coaching as a Surrey Girls' U13s coach and then became Head Coach for Surrey Girls' U13s. For the last two years as Head Coach she has been unbeaten!
ANDREW TROVALUSCI
U12s Coach
Andrew has played and coached at various levels in his 36 year basketball career, including playing National League for Kingston U18 (in the 80’s) and Bournemouth Bears Mens in National League Division 2. Andrew also represented the Royal Navy and Royal Marines whilst serving straight out of school in the 90’s. He used to be a fast break specialist but now can be found barely jogging in pick-up games to help keep him fit. He has also played Rugby and Football in his past and has coached various local teams having gained youth coaching qualifications in both Sports.
Andrew’s passion is basketball and he was an Assistant Coach for U16’s last season at Richmond Knights. One of his two sons is also keen on basketball and after many years growing up, at 15, is now able to beat his Dad on a one-on-one game.
The style of coaching Andrew adopts is to get the best out of individual players through hard work, dedication and discipline which can then be used at the Team level. The aim is always to come off the court saying, “we did everything we could!”.
Andrew is from the Michael Jordan era and he is his favourite player but is closely followed by Larry Bird.
PHIL GUNNER
U14s Coach
Phil has coached in various capacities in Surrey for over twenty five years. His experience ranges from coaching teams of all ages and abilities with huge success and was Head Coach of Kingston Royals who were undefeated in the Surrey CVL during their final season. As a senior mens' coach for Kingston Wildcats he has led his team to no fewer than four National Cup Finals, a phenomenal achievement!
Phil has been an exceptional coach for various schools and has helped some of the school teams reach the quarter finals of the National Schools Competition. His extensive knowledge of basketball and enthusiastic coaching style motivates his players, and so many beginners have gone on to be exceptional leading players for their school, club, county & region. His favourite basketball players are Charles Barkley and Chris Mullin.
OUTSTANDING COACHES WANTED!
We are looking for more OUTSTANDING COACHES to join our ever growing Basketball Academy. We want coaches of all levels to GRAFT, MOTIVATE, INSPIRE, CHALLENGE and CHAMPION our young players.
WE AIN'T NO ORDINARY CLUB! Be part of the HYPE...
HENRY TROVALUSCI
U10s Coach
Henry has played basketball since the age of 15 and plays in the Small Forward position. He has played through the junior ages and currently plays for both Men's and U18 teams. Henry likes to play fast-paced basketball, utilising fast breaks as-well as playing intense defence. He also plays various other sports, such as cricket, handball and football!
Henry believes that basketball should be about having fun, whether at practice or during fixtures. He likes to create a fun atmosphere on and off the court. He believes a high basketball IQ can be developed and used in order to win matches. Henrys favourite players are Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, as he does support the Golden State Warriors!
