PLANNING is already underway for the 2008 York Vikings International Basketball tournament after a hugely successful inaugural competition.

York Vikings Junior Basketball Club hosted the under-16s tournament at York College with eight teams from England, Norway, Germany, Scotland and Spain competing over two days for the Vikings Cup.

The event featured coaching clinics as well as the showpiece tournament and Jim Wright, Vikings head coach, was thrilled by the success of the venture.

"The tournament has offered an exciting competition for all the teams and exposure to international coaching expertise," he said. "The aim was to widen participation and share good practice. The club hopes to build on this success at the next tournament in 2008."

York Vikings U16s, the host team, beat UBC Münster in their first game but lost to Scotland U16s and Sefton Stars to finish sixth.

York College U16s reached the semi-finals before bowing out to Scotland, while the other last four tie pitched Sefton Stars against Sheffield Sharks.

Sheffield reached the final against Scotland but, despite a spirited display, they lost 62-50.

The tournament programme had started with a wheelchair coaching clinic led by Steve Duff, associate head coach of the Great Britain womens' wheelchair basketball team.

There was also a well-attended presentation by Doug Reilly, head coach of the Scotland U16 mens' team, on coaching high performance teams.