With support from Edu-Lettings and Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Padgate Aces is creating new pathways for female basketballers in the North West.
Girls’ basketball in the North West has taken a major leap forward as Padgate Aces Basketball Club secures a new home for training at Sandymoor Ormiston Academy from September 2025. The move has been made possible through Edu-Lettings, who manage the lettings of school sports facilities across the country and have played a key role in giving community clubs like Padgate Aces access to high-quality, local venues.
The club, which started its girls section four years ago as one of the only all-girls basketball teams in the region, has grown into a supportive and ambitious community for players aged 9 and up. The goal was simple: to create space where girls could play, compete, and feel part of something bigger.
“We were really keen to set up a girls’ team because there just wasn’t anything nearby” said Coach Adam, who leads both the girls’ Padgate Aces and one of the boys’ Bridgewater Jets teams who train at the academy. “Girls are travelling from St Helens and further afield to be part of what we’ve built.”
What started with one under-12s team has developed into a thriving programme. Two of our players Izzy Irvine and Lilly Redmond, have become role models for the next generation. Both were day one players of the Padgate Aces programme at U12 level and are now moving into the U16 age bracket for the 2025/26 season. Izzy has gone on to the international level, captaining the Wales U14 squad at the Home Nations this year and Lilly has been involved in Basketball England’s Aspire programme. They are now giving back to the club by helping mentor younger players and volunteering. Izzy is also using this as part of her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, supporting leadership and skill development through sport.
Sandymoor’s sports facilities, made available through Edu-Lettings, have also supported the growth of the Bridgewater Jets boys’ team with players currently training at a prestigious basketball academy in the U.S.
“The access to a consistent, quality training space has been a massive part of our success, and we’re really grateful for that, and it is something that we hope to continue through Padgate Aces and Bridgewater Jets.”
Edu-Lettings, which manages facilities across hundreds of schools in England, provides community groups like Padgate Aces with the flexibility and access they need to build sustainable programmes.
“This is exactly the kind of impact we aim to support,” said Nick Bowen, Managing Director of Edu-Lettings. “It’s about opening up school facilities to serve the wider community and giving young people space to thrive.”
As the girls’ basketball programme continues to expand, Padgate Aces is inviting new players to come along and give it a try, whether you’re a complete beginner or have ambitions to represent your country.
To find out more about joining Padgate Aces or booking facilities through Edu-Lettings, visit:
🔗 [https://www.edu-lettings.org/]
🔗 [https://www.facebook.com/padgateaces]
🔗 [https://www.facebook.com/BWJBC]
