Chantry Academy is thrilled to announce that Year 11 student, Tim Rafiu, has been called up to the Great Britain (GB) Under-16 basketball training team.

Following a training camp with the GB team at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester, Tim now eagerly awaits the next phase of the selection process. Should he succeed, he will secure a coveted spot among the final 12 players representing Great Britain at the European Championships in Skopje, Macedonia, this summer.

Having started playing basketball at the age of 11, Tim's exceptional talent and dedication have catapulted him onto the national stage, marking him as a rising star in British basketball and earning him a place among the top 36 players in his age group nationwide. In his basketball journey to date, he has represented both Chantry Academy and Ipswich Basketball Club.

Expressing his excitement for the opportunity, Tim said: "It was an unbelievable experience to train with the team and to have the opportunity to represent Great Britain and put myself up against the best players in Europe. I'm excited about what the future will hold and very grateful for the support of the school, my coaches, and my family.”

Executive Headteacher, Craig D'Cunha, commented: "We are all immensely proud of Tim for everything he has achieved. He sets a fantastic example for other pupils to follow, and we are delighted to see him representing Chantry Academy, and the wider Ipswich community, at an international level."

In a further testament to the school's commitment to excellence in sports education, Chantry Academy PE Teacher and Pastoral Leader, Gavin Nayler, has also been called up to the squad, taking on the role of Assistant Coach. This double celebration underscores the school’s dedication to nurturing not only student talents but staff too.

In line with its ‘Valued Ethos’, Chantry Academy champions the holistic development of its students, both academically and in extracurricular pursuits. Ensuring that they are well-equipped for success in all aspects of their lives.