The LSB have partnered with the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (COHENEL), to host the LSB Enfield Basketball Academy, who compete as the COHENEL Warriors, to provide an elite basketball training and competitions program, alongside top-quality academic courses for ambitious young players interested in basketball excellence in North London.
Led by US college basketball star and BBL pro, AJ Roberts, the Academy is committed to providing the very best basketball environment for both elite and developing players alike. As a BBL Trophy winning champion, our Head Coach knows what it takes to be successful at every level of the game and is passionate about passing on his knowledge, skills and ‘know-how’ to the next generation of players based at our Enfield Academy.
Our mission at COHENEL is to guide and support every player through to becoming the very best version of themselves they can be, both on and off the court.
Our teams compete in the English Academies Basketball League (ABL), AOC, Next Level Basketball League, and also the CBL – providing more than 50 games per season for our teams. In addition, our Varsity team compete in international invitational tournaments overseas, giving our players invaluable experiences playing against international competition as we prepare our players for the next level.
Through our partnership with COHENEL we provide financial scholarship support for gifted and talented players to the value of £2,500 per year, to help with travelling, equipment, exposure camps and training costs for those who meet the criteria.
The Basketball Academy is split into two areas of program development, Varsity and Junior Varsity squads, for both males and females aged between 16-19.
Varsity Program
For elite players, our Varsity program provides intensive skills development, strength and conditioning training, athlete support, guidance, technical individual and team coaching and a minimum of 35 games per season for gifted and talented players.
With strong links to professional basketball teams and universities throughout Britain and Europe – alongside a bespoke preparation and placement programme for American colleges, players who attend our academy at COHENEL will be well positioned to fulfil their basketball ambitions.
Junior Varsity Program
For those who simply want to continue to learn and play the game, without the time-intensive commitment of the elite program schedule, our Enfield Basketball Academy also offers a ‘Junior Varsity’ option which provides regular coaching, games and the opportunity to earn coaching qualifications alongside your normal academic college course while still enjoying all the benefits of being a student-athlete at the college.
All players in our Basketball Academy will receive:
- Free NIKE academy branded tees
- Professional coaching for 6 hours per week in our Enfield Centre sports facility, by professional basketball coaches with international and US college experience
- Weekly competitive games in college, academy and CBL
- On site medical support for injury prevention and rehabilitation
- Free access to the college gym and fitness suite under coach supervision
- Strength and conditioning, exercise and nutrition programmes designed and monitored for you
- Free tickets to professional basketball games
In addition to the above, Elite Academy players will receive:
- 15 hours of professional basketball coaching and strength and conditioning per week
- Open access to daily training facilities
- Individual skills development programme tailored to your specific needs
- SAT testing preparation and tutored support classes
- Placement support for US college scholarships and top European academies
- Direct links and pathways through to professional teams in the BBL and Europe
- Opportunity to become a sponsored athlete – with a value of up to £2500 per year
- Opportunities to compete in international competitions (Europe/USA)
- Invitations to attend national player ranking events and inclusion on internationally released ranking lists that are sent to over 500 college coaches throughout America
- Full stats and player profile online
- Full game footage online and available for player showreels
- NIKE training kits, tracksuit and bag
To be considered for the Basketball Academy, you must:
- Be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August in the year you start your course
- Enrol on a full-time course at our Enfield Centre
- Attend one of our trials and be selected by our coaching staff
Studying as part of the Basketball Academy
Learners who join the College’s Basketball Academy will study at the college’s Enfield centre. Learners can select ANY full-time course at the college’s Enfield site while taking part in the Basketball Academy program.
Academy Coaching Staff
Head Coach, AJ Roberts
Assistant Coach, Jamal ‘Swift’ Ayende
Great Facilities
- £1.5million Sports Centre fully refurbished
- Full-sized sports hall with resurfaced basketball floor
- ‘Glass’ main backboards – 6-8 practise baskets in gym
- Industry standard cardio and resistance training gym
- Free weights power stations
- Bespoke basketball training equipment
- Medical facilities and onsite physio treatment clinic
- High quality changing rooms and shower facilities
TO JOIN COHENEL BASKETBALL ACADEMY: SIGN UP FOR A TRIAL TODAY
COHENEL Basketball Academy is managed and delivered by the London School of Basketball in partnership with the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London. The academy has been developed to provide an elite basketball training, competitions and player support program, alongside top-quality academic courses for aspiring 16-19 year olds in North London.
The London School of Basketball (LSB) is London's biggest and most exciting grassroots basketball development agency, who focus on teaching the game from the grassroots up. The LSB specialise in basketball coaching for players of all abilities through a quality-assured, expansive network of qualified coaches and clubs throughout the capital. We also facilitate educational programs to develop new and improved coaches, stronger clubs and remain committed to creating more opportunities for young Londoners to LEARN, PLAY, DEVELOP & PROGRESS within the game, all across the city.
