THE third coming of Kevin Keegan may inspire a whole new generation of footy mad Geordies to follow their Gallowgate dreams. But a canny Scouser with any eye for hoops talent is already one step ahead when it comes to mopping up teenage basketball potential. And Marc Steutel might just be the man to persuade would-be Michael Owens that Michael Jordan is the cooler role model. The coach of Newcastle Eagles Academy’s Under-16s explained: “I run the side with a guy called Ben Stanley and it’s been fantastic. “I couldn’t ask for anything more from the kids in terms of their attitude. “They’re doing well and winning games which is a help but the biggest thing is that they want to take their games to the next level. “I don’t mind if they see it as a hobby but when I asked who saw basketball as something more than that they all put their hands up. That was great to see.” But Steutel is not all about identifying raw kids with the ability to become elite sportsmen. Away from Newcastle’s Academy, the 23-year-old works to improve the diet and fitness of some of the region’s most deprived youngsters. And his groundbreaking work with Tyneside’s Lean East programme has won rave reviews regionwide. “Lean East is a unique scheme,” added Steutel. “There are various service providers working together, backed by government funding, to tackle the problem of overweight and obese kids in the East End of Newcastle. “We work with 10 primary schools – that’s the Eagles and other providers including Kids Cabin and East End Nutrition. “We’re all trying to tackle what is a massive problem and basketball is just one part of it. I do feel we’re having a positive effect on a community with one or two problems. “I’ve been able to get a positive response from all 10 schools and get the kids engaged in physical activity. “I started last July and before the summer term finished I took a few taster sessions into the schools. “I followed that up with a camp over the summer at Wallsend’s Lightfoot Sports Centre and so I was up and running by the time the autumn term started. “I’ve been setting up clubs in the 10 schools. Two have gone for breakfast clubs, a couple run lunchtime clubs and the rest are after-school sessions. “Needless to say I just love the breakfast clubs! But I had another camp during the October half-term and 62 kids turned up compared to 31 at the summer camp. I think that’s what you call progress.” So what of Steutel’s progress? On court the ambitious former England youth international still dreams of bagging a BBL contract. And only a serious foot injury this season has prevented him from taking part in regular practice sessions with Fab Flournoy’s Eagles first team. But Steutel is back on the EBL Division 2 scene with Team Northumbria and bagged 30 points in 24 hours last weekend to confirm a return to full fitness. “This season I’ve joined Greg Modzelewski again at TN and we’ve had a great start to the season,” he added. “I’d still like to have a crack at plating at the highest level in this country. “I’m only 23 and I’ve started training with the Eagles squad so I haven’t given up hope. “But obviously I’ve got something to fall back on and that’s a message I try to get across to the kids I see week in, week out – whether it’s through the Lean East programme or my work with the Under-16 Academy side.” | 
