JOANNE Holmes hopes there is a bright future for Barrow Thorns and Hoops Basketball Centre as the club try to build up their youth section.

The Thorns’ under-18s are both in Basketball England National League action at Hoops tomorrow, with the former playing Manchester Giants at 2pm and the latter tipping off at 4pm against Tameside in Division Four North.

But Holmes, who helps coach the beginners attending the Thorns’ Tuesday night sessions, knows they need to make sure there are plenty of players coming through at the younger end if the club is thrive and grow.

“We need to keep this going because we have got such a good facility here and make sure we’re home-growing our own,” said Holmes.

“By the time the under-18s have moved on, if children haven’t got any enjoyment for the sport they’re not going to know whether they can apply themselves and whether they’re capable of doing it.”

Holmes believes there is a wealth of basketball talent in the Barrow area, having been impressed with what she has seen both from coaching the beginners at the Thorns and in her teaching job at Yarlside Academy.

“We’ve given them enjoyment and maybe something they wouldn’t get from another sport,” said Holmes.

“We’ve got quite a lot of talent in the area and it just needs to be brought out.”