Rossendale Raptors Basketball Club have teamed up with the NBA superstar Luol Deng to give youngsters the opportunity to get some expert coaching.

The club has joined forces with the Luol Deng Foundation and will offer junior coaching sessions as part of the programme before every home game during the forthcoming season.

Every child who attends will then get a free ticket to watch the Raptors play in the National League immediately after the session.

The Luol Deng Foundation is the international charity established by NBA All Star and Great Britain International Luol Deng.

The Deng Mini’s sessions will be the only Luol Deng sponsored sessions outside of London.

Club Chairman Ken Masser said: “It’s a fantastic partnership for the club. To be associated with Luol Deng and his foundation is brilliant for us and we honoured to have been given the chance to offer their programmes.

“But most importantly we’re delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to young people, to get some great coaching, to see some entertaining live basketball and to meet some players who will hopefully inspire them to take up or continue to develop in the sport.”

Steve Vear of the Luol Deng Foundation said, “We are really excited to be partnering with the Raptors.

“They have some very good coaches and we are confident that they are the right partners to help us expand the Deng Mini’s programme.

“They are a really well organised club, with good commercial sense and excellent marketing credentials.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for kids to access our programme and we hope they’ll enjoy it!”