Breeze will help with the academy's strength and conditioning (Getty)

The Plymouth Raiders are to open up their first ever basketball academy with the aim of developing home grown players for the BBL side.

It will be set up at nearby Ivybridge Community College, which is a specialist sports college.

And Olympic weightlifter Michaela Breeze, who teaches at the school, will help with strength and conditioning.

"The players are going to have a fantastic experience," said Raiders Head of Development Jamie Burchell.

The side will be coached by former Raiders player and Ivybridge teacher Mark Cahill, as well as being given tips by Tom Kambouris, the new coach of the club's second team.

They're going to be exposed to some first rate coaching and mentoring Raiders head of development Jamie Burchell

And on top of that the young players will also have the chance to train with Plymouth's BBL side twice a week.

"They're going to be exposed to some first rate coaching and mentoring which will hopefully then spur them on and see them playing for the Raiders development teams in the National League," added Burchell.

"There aren't many basketball programmes in the country who give their players the opportunity to be coached by an Olympic athlete with the reputation and stature of Michaela Breeze," he added.

"With our Academy at Ivybridge, and the close relationship we are building with the University of Plymouth, there is now a very clear pathway for the development of players from under 10's and under 12's through to our National League and BBL team," he said.