Pupils at a Southend school got a taste of basketball from some of the town's leading players.

High there - pupils from St Mary's get a few top tips from 7ft 3ins Southend Swifts basketball player Liam Hughes Picture: Dave Henderson 2LFWT3GF

Steve Pearl brought six of his Southend Swifts players to St Mary's Church of England school in Boston Avenue for a day-long coaching session.

The primary school is planning to introduce the fast-paced sport to its curriculum in the next academic year and thought the day would be the ideal introduction for pupils.

Students aged between eight and 11 from years four to six were given an overview of basketball during assembly.

Each class then had a lesson with the visitors from the Swifts.

Published Tuesday July 13, 2004

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