Xaverian College has proudly concluded one of its most successful basketball seasons in recent memory, with outstanding performances across multiple competitions and divisions. The 2024–25 academic year has seen the College’s basketball teams excel at regional and national levels, highlighting the strength, dedication and talent of both players and coaches.
The Women’s Basketball Team had an extraordinary season, finishing with a stellar record of 15 wins and only three losses. Their achievements included:
Association of Colleges (AOC) North West Regional Championship – Champions: Undefeated throughout the tournament
AoC National Championships – Champions: A commanding run defeating top teams such as Farnborough, Stoke, Leyton, Richard Huish, and a dominant performance in the final where they beat Derby to be crowned champions
AoC National Cup – Last 16
Dynamic National Cup – Quarter Finalists
Paul Brookes, Sports Teacher and Women’s Team Coach, said: “The women’s programme has developed at an exceptional rate over the past 24 months. The commitment and desire shown by the players has been the main catalyst for this, as they have taken on board all the advice and support on offer to raise their level of performance to the highest level. The team has been a true pleasure to coach and their success reflects the thriving basketball community currently within the College.”
Basketball Academy 1, the elite men’s team, demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency across an intense 38-game season where they secured 31 wins. Key accolades included:
College Basketball League (CBL) 1 North – League Champions
CBL Playoffs – 3rd Place Nationally
Basketball England Under 18 Premier – 2nd Place
National League Playoffs – 4th Nationally in Under 18 Premier
Paul Cantwell, Head Coach for the Men’s Elite Teams, commented: “Each year, the Academy 1 Team has gone from strength to strength, and this season we have enjoyed one of our greatest achievements with a first-place finish in CBL1. We have one of the youngest teams in the country and we will continue to develop them each year to ensure they gain offers from the most competitive colleges across Europe and the United States.
“The Academy 2 Team has also experienced exceptional success by winning the AOC North title with an unbeaten record. Many players are continuing to improve and coming through that squad into Academy 1, as all our teams continue to improve and win. The future is bright for basketball at Xaverian!”
Academy 2 mirrored the results of Academy 1 by ending the season with 22 wins in a 30-game season and capturing the following titles:
AoC North West League 1 – Winners
AoC North West Regional Championship – Champions
AoC National Championships – 6th Place
Dynamic National Cup – Quarter Finalists
AoC National Cup – Last 16
Development Team Success
Xaverian’s third team, with 11 wins out of 14 games, secured 3rd place in the North West Colleges Sports League, offering a crucial platform for emerging talent and programme depth.
Martain Kilroy, Curriculum Leader for Sport, said: “Team 3 is the lifeblood of basketball at the College, allowing emerging players to showcase their talents and ensuring the social aspect of the sport is at the forefront of our basketball community.”
Xaverian athletes and staff also earned major individual honours this season:
Lucy Retalic – Most Valuable Player of the AoC National Championship
Carina Costa – Most Improved Player, Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL) North
Liz Costa – Most Valuable Player, WEABL North
Sayomi Laditan-Adebiyi – Most Valuable Player, CBL 1 North
Paul Cantwell – Coach of the Year, CBL 1 North
These recognitions underscore the College’s commitment to elite performance and player development.
Sayomi Laditan-Adebiyi, former pupil at St Ambrose College, is currently studying A Levels in Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics, alongside playing for Academy 1. He said: “Being part of Xaverian’s Elite Basketball Academy has been a huge part of my College journey. I started in Team 3 in Year 12 and developed under Coach Paul Brookes. In Year 13, I moved up to the Elite Men’s Team and reached the College League semi-finals and placed 4th nationally in the Under 18 Premier, playing alongside my twin brother.
“The Academy’s support has helped me balance my academic study and sport commitments. I enjoyed bonding with my teammates and coaches, and it has taught me an abundance of life skills. I hope to continue playing basketball as a professional or amateur whilst continuing my education at a higher level in the future.”
Xaverian Principal, Tony Knowles, commented: “This year’s success is a testament to the incredible talent, dedication, and unity within our basketball programme. We are immensely proud of all our student-athletes and coaches for representing Xaverian College with levels of excellence that are evident both on and off the court.”
Xaverian College is a leading sixth-form college in Manchester, renowned for its academic excellence and strong sporting tradition. The College’s basketball programme is one of the most competitive and well-respected in the UK, offering elite training, competition and opportunities for young athletes.