ALAN Keane, part of the Reading Rockets basketball club’s coaching staff, will be off to the Commonwealth Games in Australia next April.

Also the Great Britain Under 18 head coach, he has been appointed one of the two assistants to Andreas Kapoulas for the England men’s team.

Keane said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to coach on a world stage which will provide me with many opportunities to develop.”

  • OLIVIA Paige, the former Reading Hockey Club player and Queen Anne's (Caversham) pupil, has been named in the 18-strong England women's squad for the World League final in New Zealand.

The team will be led by ex-Reading star Alex Danson and this eight-country tournament, which runs from November 17 to 26, will provide a stiff test for England as they build towards hosting the World Cup in London next July.

  • MIDDLESBROUGH were not the only club to benefit from Reading FC's generosity last Saturday.

Royals made a presentation to FC Bracknell, who had around 400 players, officials, family and friends at the Championship fixture.

The club, for young players, arranged the trip to Madejski Stadium as part of their 40th-anniversary celebrations.They were presented with a Reading shirt carrying FC Bracknell 40 on the back along with a signed match-day programme.

  • READING basketball fans are being offered the chance of going on a Magic-al journey on Saturday.

The players and coaching staff are travelling to Manchester for their NBL Division One game in a 53-seater coach and are offering supporters the chance to go with them.

Departure time is 11am with a seat costing £20. To book a place contact Admin@readingrockets.co.uk or call 0118 9263 040

  • HIGHMOOR Ibis FC are looking to celebrate this, their 50th season with a reunion next summer. A number of their players from the late 1960s and 1970s are still believed to be around.