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 while heading up a basketball academy at Lampton School as a PE teacher for the last nine years.

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.

Speaking about his appointment, Keane said: “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.”

He continued: “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.”

Peña Garcés added: “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.”