Hoops with Heart: The basketball club where every child belongs

Glossopdale Hoops Basketball Club is proud of its growing success on the court, but ask anyone involved what matters most and they'll tell you it's creating a place where every child can belong, build confidence and fall in love with the game.  

Founded by Chika Jones and Mark Claydon in 2022, the grassroots club has become one of Glossop’s community success stories. Training children from Reception to Year 10, it has built a reputation not only for developing talented basketball players, but for ensuring every child, regardless of ability, has somewhere they can feel welcome.  

Glossopdale Hoops has five teams competing every week, but unlike other clubs it doesn't only train players selected for competition. Children who simply want to play for fun are welcomed just as warmly as those with ambitions of regional or national basketball.  

"We wanted to create a club where every child had the opportunity to play" explained Chika. "We didn't want children to miss out because they weren't ready for competitive basketball or simply weren't naturals at a new sport. Being part of a team teaches confidence, resilience, friendship and kindness, and every child deserves those experiences.  

"Our main goal is for the children to enjoy themselves. If a child wants to play on a team, we’ll have a conversation about the commitment involved for both the child and parents and make sure they are ready. If they want to join in with their siblings and give it a try, we welcome them!" 

That philosophy was obvious from the moment I walked into the sports hall at Glossopdale School on a Tuesday evening.  

The courts were full of children laughing, bouncing basketballs and cheering each other on, while parents watch proudly from the sidelines. It's energetic, noisy and full of encouragement.  

Perhaps most impressive is that some of the youngest players are coached by children themselves.  

Year 7 pupils George Pickup and Clay Marsden, both aged 12, lead sessions for four to six-year-olds, patiently teaching the game's basics while making sure everyone enjoys themselves, supported by fellow Year 7, Eric Eyres."They're definitely our most challenging age group" Chika laughed. "But George, Clay and Eric are absolutely brilliant with them."  

George, who has represented four different basketball teams across community, regional and national level, wanted to pass on his passion for the sport. "I've loved helping them improve" he said. "I’ve seen them get better and better each week learning things like crossovers. I’m really impressed."  

Clay has been attending the club since it first began and created the club's first logo. "We work together running drills" he said. "They’ve all progressed loads. I love it here"  

For many parents, it's this welcoming atmosphere that makes the club so special.  

Netty Bell has watched daughter Lizzie, 10, flourish since joining the club. Lizzie has Kabuki Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which affects her learning and social confidence. "We've been coming for over a year" said Netty. "Straight away Lizzie felt comfortable here.  

"She struggles to access some mainstream activities, but at Hoops she's simply accepted for who she is. She's older than some of the children in this group, but this is where she feels happiest so they've never tried to move her on. There's no pressure here. She comes along and she's just Lizzie.”  

Lizzie took a quick break to run over and I asked what she thought of the Hoops. She didn’t hesitate, "I love it!”  

Other families have discovered the club through friends at school. Mum Steph had brought sons Sebby, six, and Alex, ten, to their first session. "Sebby had been begging to come because some children from his class do" she said. “I didn't really know what to expect but it's wonderful. I’m impressed with how affordable it is and the fact you can simply pay as you go."  

That accessibility is another key part of the club's ethos. Children can try their first session free before paying just £3.50 each week, allowing families flexibility without expensive monthly commitments.  

For co-founder Mark, building confidence has always mattered just as much as basketball skills.  

"I've played basketball since I was 12 and reached a good standard" he said. "When Chika and I started the club our focus was simple: be kind and be supportive.  

"Some clubs only focus on kids if they are going to be playing for a team, but that’s not who we are. Here it’s all about encouragement and positivity no matter the ability.”  

That supportive approach certainly isn't holding talented youngsters back. Several Hoops players now compete at regional and national level, including Year 8 pupil Zander, Chika’s son. "When I first came I couldn't really shoot" he admitted. "Now I've improved so much and I've made a National League team. The coaches here are brilliant - they make everyone enjoy basketball."  

Parent Andy Cornner began coaching three years ago because his own son George wanted to play. "We needed someone to coach, so I volunteered" he laughed. "I'd never played basketball before, so I've been learning too!  

"As a personal trainer I'm really proud of how fit our players have become, and with Mark's experience around tactics and strategy we've got youngsters now competing at regional level.  

"More importantly though, they've become genuine friends and their team mentality is brilliant.”  

Coach Will Bromley has remained involved even after his own children stopped playing, as he himself had a great coach at school and wanted to give something back. “I really like seeing the kids getting better each week. Their confidence in the game grows and they believe in themselves more.”  

The club is now hoping to build another exciting chapter.  

Due to league rules separating boys and girls’ teams from Year 7 onwards, Glossopdale Hoops has launched an all-girls team - The Teals.  

Currently coached by nurse Molly Goodwin on a Wednesday evening, the group has around six to eight regular players and hopes to recruit enough girls to create a team to play competitively.  

Molly, 22, comes from one of the area’s best-known basketball families. Her father Ben played himself and now coaches at Hoops, while her brothers Matthew, 20, and Dominic, 18, have both represented the country and played at national level. Matthew signed with Manchester Giants at 17 before going on to play professionally for London Lions and is now heading overseas to play and study at Central Connecticut State University in America. Younger brother Ollie, 12, now plays for the Hoops.  

“My family has always lived and breathed basketball" Molly smiled. "There wasn't a girls' team locally, and I thought we really needed one. We've got six to eight girls coming every week, they're all enjoying themselves and hopefully it won't be long before we have enough players for a team.”  

One player determined to help grow The Teals is Emily Spriggs: "I've put posters up around school and I'm always telling people about Hoops" she explained. "I love the coaches and I always feel happy after training. I really want us to have enough girls to become a proper team."  

Emily's mum Julie has watched basketball transform her daughter's confidence. "When Emily first started she was quite shy" she said. "Now she throws herself into it! The club is so inclusive. Chika and Mark have created something wonderful."  

New recruit Ava also received a warm welcome. Her father Matt Lindsay, himself an experienced player and co-founder of Tameside Vikings Basketball Club, said: "At Ava's very first session every girl ran over to introduce themselves. The club has such a great community.”  

Coach Ben agrees: "This club gives every child an opportunity" he said. "You might never have bounced a ball before, but you can join and we’ll help you progress. You might want to play at national level or just enjoy training with a team, either way, you'll be welcomed.”  

Young players Ollie Plachotny and Logan Goddard perhaps summed the atmosphere up best. "I've trained with another club and it wasn't as friendly" said Ollie. "Hoops feels like one massive family." Logan agreed. "I know every week I'll improve. The coaches really care about us."  

For Ollie Goodwin, basketball has always been part of family life. "My dad, my brothers and my sister all play" he said. “If you enjoy basketball but don't want loads of pressure, Hoops is definitely the place to come. You'll be greeted with open arms."  

From nurturing future regional, national or maybe even professional players, to giving children their very first exciting taste of team sport, Glossopdale Hoops has built far more than a basketball club.  

It has built a community where ambition and kindness go hand in hand, every achievement is celebrated and every child is given the chance to belong.  

As the club continues to grow, it is now looking for local businesses to help write the next chapter by sponsoring its teams. Anyone interested in supporting them can get in touch via the club's Facebook page or email glossopdalehoops@gmail.com