The Cheshire Phoenix basketball team visited their neighbours at Christmas.

The players called in to Abbot’s Wood, Chester’s new £18M retirement living development.

This marked the start of a new Silver Hoopers partnership between the team and the retirement living development, initiated by Your Housing Group, which owns and manage the development and are Cheshire Phoenix’s principal team sponsor.

The team enjoyed an afternoon tea of scones, sandwiches and cakes with 25 of the residents. They also took part in an armchair exercise class and enjoyed a short basketball coaching session practising getting the ball in a hoop.

Located on Northgate Avenue, Abbot’s Wood is right next to the Northgate Arena where the team train and play their home games.

Chairman of Your Housing Group Kathy Cowell, OBE DL, said: “This is our second season as Cheshire Phoenix’s principal team sponsor and it’s great to further extend our work with them on this community outreach initiative. The Silver Hoopers partnership will promote health and wellbeing for our older residents and encourage family fun, time away with friends and combat feelings of isolation. Abbot’s Wood is designed to allow people to enjoy their retirement and live independently for longer in a sociable, safe and secure environment.”

Chairman of Cheshire Phoenix Basketball Club Andrew Donaldson said: “The great thing about basketball is that it’s so exciting it can appeal to anyone of any age from an eight-year-old to an 80 year old and coming to watch a game is an excellent way for two or three generations of a family to find a pastime they can all enjoy doing together.”

Cheshire Phoenix head coach John Coffino said: “If I was ten years older I would love to live here myself! What a beautiful development with everything all under one roof. I hope to become a regular visitor for an English afternoon tea or even call in for Sunday lunch before one of our games on Sunday teatime next door at the Northgate Arena.”

Abbot’s Wood is a development of 131 one and two bedroom apartments that are available for rent, full sale or shared ownership.

The development includes a bistro, a hairdressers and activity room which will offer a range of weekly activities. These amenities are open to the local community and non-residents are encouraged to use the facilities.