To combat the excesses of Christmas, Southend Swifts are staging their third international basketball tournament. 

This time the competition (again sponsored by The Livemore Partnership) has expanded to two days, giving the under 14 squad the opportunity of playing on the bigger stage.  The international flavour is once again provided by the St Mirren club from Scotland, who are bringing teams at under 18, under 16 and under 14 level. 

On Tuesday 27th December, there will be an under 14 triangular event with Southend, St Mirren and Ellesmere Port.  Interspersed will be challenge matches between Swifts and St Mirren under 16 and under 18 teams. 

On Wednesday 28th, there is a four team tournament with the two elder St Mirren teams, Swifts under 18's and Haringey Angels under 18's, last seasons English National Champions from North London. 

Swifts chairman Paul May said "it is obviously an extremely ambitious event to run so close to Christmas and to expand to two days.  All of our players wanted the opportunity to take part and with St Mirren able to bring three teams, that has made the format possible.  We are extremely grateful to The Livemore Partnership, who are Chartered Surveyors with offices throughout Essex, for again sponsoring the event and we have also received assistance from Ransome Sporting Goods for the supply of basketballs, Citigroup Estates and Swish Sports who are a Southend-based kit supplier.  

"We are very fortunate to have extremely supportive parents who are hosting the St Mirren players as well as providing food for all of the teams over the two days.  The whole event is about participation rather than just winning and I am sure everyone will have an enjoyable two days of sport". 

All matches are at Greensward College, with play on 27th December starting at 11 am and on 28th at 9.30. 

On 29th December all of the under 18 teams take part in the prestigious Hoopfest competition at Crystal Palace - the major junior basketball event of the season.