High-Performance Programme

Player Information  

Caledonia Gladiators are pleased to once again launch our High-Performance Programme for the 2024/25 season, which is open to high-level male and female athletes from across Scotland. The programme will provide a full-time bespoke basketball schedule, including performance development and an extended off-court curriculum. The programme will be run in alignment with basketballscotland’s talent pathway. 

The programme will provide players with 

• A high-performance environment, designed to support player transition through to the professional basketball level. 
• A bespoke competitive environment of scheduled team fixtures, with potential integration to our professional team and the opportunity to continue to represent your current club. 

Eligibility 

Players born between 2006-2010 (competing in U16 and U20 age group).  

Consideration will be given to players out with these dates if they demonstrate exceptional talent behaviours where prospects within Scotland and Great Britain programmes are evident. 

Coaching 

Our full-time high-performance coaching staff will operate across the male and female programmes.  The coaching team will also work in conjunction with our professional coaches, to ensure alignment and collaboration across both programmes. 

Programme Contents 

• Daily basketball curriculum, including on and off-court content/learning.  

• Player and Team profiling and tracking; monitoring individual and team progress, including  

• Individual Strength & Conditioning. 

• Individual skill development and team on-court sessions.  

• Mobility, body maintenance and bullet-proofing (mental/emotional/physical) 

• Nutrition, hydration, rest and recovery. 

• Lifestyle management. 

• Prepare for a life as a professional athlete. 

Session Delivery 

All sessions will be delivered in the evenings, aligned with existing practice commitments with players’ SBC clubs. The programme aims to allow players to engage in a 4 or 5 day schedule of basketball development every week. 

The 2024-25 programme will commence on the 2nd September 2024, and conclude on the 23rd May 2025.  

Costs 

The programme comes with significant financial costs, the vast majority of which will be covered by Caledonia Gladiators Basketball.  However, to help ensure players are committed fully to the programme, we are requesting a player contribution of £500 for the season paid in monthly instalments on the 1st of each month.

Scholarship Fund 

We understand the current financial climate is a challenge for many. We therefore have in place a support system via our Gladiators Scholarship Fund. 

Applicants can apply for a proportion of the player contribution cost, by sending a separate cover letter, outlining the amount being applied for, and giving a brief overview of why the applicant should be considered. All of the letters will be treated in the strictest of confidence and should be addressed via email to Lisa Palombo (Head of Operations) on lisa@caledoniagladiators.com 

Decision Time 

We hope you now have enough information about the programme and its offering, as well as recognise how it will help you take the next steps in your basketball journey. It’s a hugely exciting time for Scottish Basketball, and we hope you want to be part of this continuing movement in our Country. 

Application Form 

Applications are now open, and you can apply by clicking on the link below https://forms.gle/EM8fyvHehWKEgMFN7 

The application form will close on Thursday 8th August 2024 at 5 PM. 

Shortlisted players will be invited to a trial on Saturday 17th August between 10 am and 2 pm at our state-of-the-art facility within Playsport in East Kilbride. 

If you have any further questions or queries, contact us at highperformance@caledoniagladiators.com