Reading Rockets have made current England Under 16 Boys head coach Alan Keane their new assistant coach for the Division One Men’s team. Keane has been on the international scene for the past four years whilst heading up a basketball academy at Lampton School as a PE teacher for the last nine years and will provide the Reading outfit with a vast range of knowledge and experience having coached at multiple levels in Great Britain. The 38 year old has also coached at London Greenhouse Pioneers and various London Regional teams as well as on a vast range of camps in this country and abroad. The Irishman has visited Reading on many occasions and has been keen to get involved in senior basketball on a more regular basis with the Rockets looking to add a young, exciting, British coach who could complement current head coach Manuel Peña Garcés.

Club chairman Gary Johnson made the approach and Keane was excited to accept. On speaking about his appointment, Keane said,

[su_quote]Every day, month, year I’m always looking for an edge to develop my coaching. That edge has now come in the form of Reading Rockets basketball club. To be in a performance based environment with a forward thinking philosophy excites me. To surround myself with continuous learners who will challenge and unpick my current knowledge base is an opportunity that I will embrace. Reading have many great provisions as a club but working alongside advanced level coaches for me is the main attraction and the edge I’m looking for.[/su_quote]

Rockets Head Coach Manuel Peña Garcés is delighted to add Alan Keane to his coaching staff and feels the Irishman will provide some great attributes to the Berkshire club. In speaking ahead of the upcoming season, the Spanish play-caller said,

[su_quote]I’m really looking forward for this season; it’s going to be special, it’s 20 years since the formation of Reading Rockets and we are continuing to work hard in the growth and the structure of the club. A big example of this is the signing of Alan Keane and I’m really happy that we have been able to make this happen. Alan is one of the best English coaches right now and this is a good step for him; he is a hard worker and very humble and he is going to fit in well with the philosophy of the club. Previously, I have been working with Alan on some camps for Basketball England and it’s going to be great to have him with us all the time. A big welcome to Alan and we are both excited to start work ahead of the upcoming season.[/su_quote]