A BASKETBALL club has received a substantial donation to overhaul their facilities.

Talbot Village Trust granted Dorset Storm Basketball Club with just under £5,000 to completely refurbish their existing offering and to meet with competition regulations.

The club, which trains at St Edward's School in Poole, has been operating since 1999 and provides opportunities for both genders aged between eight and 18 to play basketball.

Dorset Storm is one of the largest basketball teams in the south.

The refurbishment of the club’s existing facilities has benefited team members as it means that younger players now have access to the sport, due to the installation of height adjustable practise basket nets.

Luke Kemish, head coach of Dorset Storm Basketball Club, said: "Thanks to the generous funding we received from Talbot Village Trust, we have been able to expand our offering of basketball coaching to the local community.

"Not only does the new equipment allow us to continue to enter competitions, but as a direct result we have already created an adult team and will shortly be launching a girls only session.

"This shows just some of the positive impact the money has had on basketball in Poole.

"All club members and their families are extremely grateful to now have some of the best basketball facilities available to them."

The improvements have enabled the team to continue to play in national league competitions and increased the amount of training sessions on offer.

As a result, the overall membership figures have increased by around 25 per cent.

Russell Lucas-Rowe, trustee of Talbot Village Trust, added: "The ethos of Talbot Village Trust is to provide financial support to projects which will have a wider effect on the local community.

"We believe that no scheme is too big or too small for consideration as long as it is a charity, place of worship or place of education."

"Helping Dorset Storm fund the upgrade of their facilities has evidently encouraged more young people into the sport, due to the fact the club has seen such a clear increase in membership figures.

"We are so pleased this is the case and hope to help other similar causes in the future."

For more information about Talbot Village Trust, who are accepting applications for funding ahead of their spring meeting next year, visit talbotvillagetrust.org.