Alton’s basketball offering is continuing to expand.

Matt Williams, a former international basketball player and professional coach, started the programme at the town’s sports centre in 2021.

He then set up Alton Storm last summer – and entered a men’s team in Division One of the Wessex Basketball League this season.

Training sessions are also held for under-eights, under-12s and under-16s.

Before Alton Storm’s 73-62 defeat against Basingstoke Blizzards, Matt outlined his ambitious plans for the club.

He said: “We were put in the wrong league – we were put in a much tougher competition than where we should be – but we lose really well.

“We’re trying to get better, and we’re now competitive.

“The challenge we had for the first six months was we had different people in every week. To have a concept and build on something was impossible – but people have now woken up to basketball in Alton. We’ve drawn in some friends who have played at a decent level. We have a couple of young players who also have talent, so we have a nice balance. Now we can start building on things.

“This summer is an interesting time – hopefully we’re going to have a second team which will be more recreational. The competitive team will then focus on concepts, creating plays and playing to our strengths. I think we’ll be a lot more competitive.

“For the young kids who are coming up, the second team will be a nice stepping stone where they can get some playing time.

“The youth side is growing and I think over the summer we can create a performance side. The next step for the children is competition – they’re working hard. Then we’ll start more community work, which will be more recreational. 

“We’ll go into schools and have after-school sessions, and the ones who show some promise can come to the competitive side. 

“We can build that, and that will be the foundation for creating a proper club that can compete in regional, and possibly national, level.

“Before we can scale up we need one or two more coaches to take over some of those community hours. As Alton grows, we’re growing with it.”