Skypark partners with Caledonia Gladiators and raises £1000 for the local High School
Hidden amongst the tenements of Hillhead, in the unassuming Scottish secondary Hillhead High is an up and coming basketball star. Who knew?
Aymen Kraria is a pupil at the school and plays for the Great Britain’s under 18s team. Aymen has also attended the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp in 2023.
The Gladiators
Aymen helped to raise funds for the school’s basketball strips with the help of Skypark and the Caledonia Gladiators in a fundraiser this March. The Gladiators play in both the British Basketball League and Women’s British Basketball League. They also run community youth sessions across Glasgow. Based at the Playsport Arena in East Kilbride, the team joined with Hillhead students and Skypark tenants for the fundraiser. The day featured ‘shoot the hoop’ challenges, raising £1000 for the school.
Lisa Palombo, Head of BBL (Women) and Community at Caledonia Gladiators said ‘We are delighted to be part of the Skypark and Gladiators Charity Challenge. Hillhead High School are great friends of the club and do fantastic work around school basketball. We hope this helps support their fundraising pursuit.’
The Spirit of Basketball
It’s clear that the fundraiser was a huge success for all involved and Hillhead High School are understandably delighted. Jack Richardson of Hillhead High School said: ‘Our fundraiser is great for our young players as it captures the spirit of basketball and bonds the team together. We’re a very multicultural and diverse school and we also work exceptionally hard to keep the cost of the school day as low as possible so the £1000 raised will make a huge difference. Basketball develops lifelong skills in our young players. Thanks to the Gladiators and Skypark tenants for getting behind our school.’
Last word goes to Aymen. Onwards and upwards from here? ‘Hillhead High School has helped me throughout my whole career. The time that teachers and coaches have dedicated to supporting my development has been so important to reaching the level I have so far. As a school we have been very successful at a local and national level and won the U18 Glasgow League, U18 Glasgow Cup and Open Boys Scottish Cup last year. My goals are to continue to work hard and develop my skills to help me become a professional basketball player.’
Aymen Kraria. Basketball star of the future.
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