THE final buzzer could be set to sound on the future of part of the Swindon Sonics Juniors unless new players join the club, writes ANTHONY MARSHALL.

That is the fear of coach Carl Williams, who has seen mini-basketball training numbers dry up to as few as 10 players attending sessions at Haydon Wick Leisure Centre.

Youngsters aged between six and 10 play mini-basketball for the Sonics Juniors every Saturday morning, but progression to the under 13 side and a lack of new faces coming in means that numbers are seriously falling.

And Williams admits that it is testing the team's finances, saying: "We may have to stop the team.

"If we don't try and maintain the numbers we've got then it could potentially end up that we've got no juniors age group.

"To hire places is becoming more and more expensive and we've got to be very careful how much we charge kids and their parents.

"Between 12 and 14 kids would just about cover our costs for an-hour-and-a-half.

"In an ideal world we would like to take it up to two hours, but we can't afford it.

"If we could double our numbers we could afford more time and get another coach involved.

"We're trying to get as many kids down to play as possible because eight or nine years ago it was the fastest growing sport in the country. But now it has fallen flat on its face.

"Training has gone down to about 10 or 12 guys, whereas we were having 25-30 in the past."

With training sessions held four times a month and the team taking part in regular tournaments, Williams believes any potential new Sonics Juniors members are guaranteed a good time.

"It's an indoor sport, which means they can play in any weather at any time.

"And it adds another string to a kid's sporting bow.

"We spend time working on the basic fundamentals, but always play a game at the end of each training session, and parents are welcome to come along and watch.

"But most importantly, we make sure the guys have fun and enjoy their basketball."

Anyone interested in playing for the Sonics Juniors should visit www.swindonsonics.co.uk and fill out a contact form.