Southend Swifts go into the 2004/5 season with another ambitious programme of National League basketball.

Once again teams will be entered in all women's competitions (seniors, under-18, U16 and U14), while there will again be an U18 boys' team.

This follows a successful summer campaign. The seniors won the Hertfordshire invitational league, the U18s and U16s went unbeaten against North American opposition and the U14s triumphed at a National tournament.

The seniorcompetition follows a new format this season. The league opens with four regional divisions - where five matches are played.

Depending on the results, teams will either be entered into Division One or into one of two regional Division Twos.

As far as Swifts are concerned, they have retained most of last season's side, losing just Sarah Wagstaff and Yetty Arayomi to university.

The U18 women will hope to beat last season's second place, both in the league and play-offs.

They have a very experienced team, most of them having played atsenior level, and havelost just three players to age restriction.

Published Friday August 27, 2004

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