Above: Basketball star Hayden at Dame Allan’s Schools. Newcastle

Year 9 pupil Hayden Watson has carved out a promising future as a basketball player, having earned a spot on Newcastle Eagles’ Premier Team. Now, the talented young player takes on opponents from across the UK.

14-year-old Hayden – who stands at six feet and eight inches tall –  began playing basketball in the Autumn of 2019 at Gosforth Goliaths, until Covid-19 shut down play. After Covid restrictions were lifted in 2021, he joined Cramlington Vikings U12 team, where he was voted one of the top players by his peers in their end of season awards ceremony.

In 2022, Hayden began his journey with record-breaking local British Basketball League team Newcastle Eagles, and was accepted into their U14 academy team at age 12; one of just 15 young people chosen for this prestigious squad. The team came second in the Northern Premier League for the 22/23 season.

Hayden also successfully confirmed a spot in their 23/24 Premier Team playing teams as far south as Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Leicester, and the final game in London.

Hayden hones his skills by taking part in regular competitive basketball, playing as part of the U14 squad at Dame Allan’s Boys’ School. In the 23/24 season, Hayden’s U14 team won the Tyneside Cup and made it to the quarter finals of the National Schools Competition, with Hayden often leading the points scoring.

The skilled teenager also attended Basketball England’s Aspire North East training camp in 2023, which provides specialist high-quality coaching to help develop young players for a future in professional basketball. After success in this camp, Hayden was picked out to move forward to the Northern Super Region Camps, one of 28 individuals who attend further training sessions in Manchester.

Speaking about his success, Hayden said: “I’m loving basketball right now. I have great teammates in the Eagles Academy and Dame Allan’s teams and I have been lucky enough to have some excellent coaches over the past few years. Our school team won the Jr NBA last year which was a great team achievement and I’m looking forward to continuing training with the North of England Aspire squad.”

Dame Allan’s Basketball Coach and Vice Principal (Academic) Alan Hopper said: “Hayden has made huge strides in the past couple of years with his fantastic work ethic and drive to improve. He is very coachable and is an invaluable member of our successful Year 9 team.  I am not surprised by his selection into the Newcastle Eagles’ Premier Team where I am sure he will make a big impact”.

Above: Hayden in action on the basketball court

Hayden’s proud parents, Martin and Sharon added: “Hayden loves his basketball and spends many hours per week either playing matches, training, shooting practice in the garden or volunteering to assist with coaching younger teams at Ponteland.  We are really proud to see him progressing on his basketball journey.”