Latest news with #CaledoniaGladiators
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Youngsters roll up for East Kilbride Shopping Centre's Summer Circus
Each weekend features a fabulous line-up of circus themed entertainment. Hundreds of youngsters are rolling up for some free holiday fun at EK, East Kilbride's summer circus. The shopping centre's Plaza mall has been transformed into a colourful circus ring, with professional jugglers and acrobats joining face painters and glitter tattoo artists to bring the fun of the big top to kids over the school holidays. Each weekend features a fabulous line-up of circus themed entertainment with the final four days set to provide an exciting finale to the summer programme. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today Saturday, August 2 (11am to 2pm): Spinning circus skills (diabolo, poi-spinning, plate-spinning and ribbon twirling) Sunday, August 3 (11am to 2pm): Hula Hoop events and workshops Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 (11am-1pm): Skills and tricks with Caledonia Gladiators Workshops and events will run intermittently during the times detailed above. Exact timings will be available on the day. During weekdays, the ring shifts gear to become a circus selfie and play area - a bright and bold space decked out with fun props and backdrops perfect for Instagram worthy family photos. Entry is free, and no booking is required. Alan Smillie, centre manager at East Kilbride Shopping Centre, said: 'It has been a fantastic summer programme so far and we can't wait to welcome some more circus loving youngsters to our final two weekends.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
East Kilbride software experts sign game-changing new partnership with Caledonia Gladiators
As part of the deal, Eureka Solutions will become an official sponsor of the Caledonia Gladiators for the upcoming 2025/26 season. Scotland's only professional basketball team has made a slam dunk in its off-court operations by signing a game-changing new partnership. Caledonia Gladiators has teamed up with fellow East Kilbride-based firm, Eureka Solutions in a partnership that will help support complex behind-the-scenes processes at the club. As part of the deal, Eureka will become an official sponsor of the Caledonia Gladiators for the upcoming 2025/26 season. Partnering with seasoned pros Eureka Solutions will play a crucial part in the Gladiators' long-term business plan: modernising its back-end financial systems to support its continued success as one of the UK's fastest growing professional sports franchises. As a trusted partner of iplicit - cloud accounting's market disruptor - Eureka enables businesses to reduce overheads, automate routine tasks, and simplify financial operations, by providing a streamlined and user-friendly platform that improves financial management. Callum Mackie, Sponsorships and Partnerships Lead at Caledonia Gladiators, said: 'We had outgrown the functionality offered by our previous software provider and were looking to find a new solution that could help modernise our systems. 'As a local company, we were aware of Eureka Solutions and its excellent reputation within the sector. iplicit was presented to us as a potential solution after an initial discussion about our goals around group reporting and group structure and we were keen to explore that option.' The project will see Caledonia Gladiators enhance back-office operations with a two-pronged solution; implementing iplicit financial software alongside its own integration tool, Besyncly, to automate manual tasks and provide consolidated reporting to support the franchise's growth. Callum added: 'Working with Eureka Solutions will really make an impact on how we run things behind the scenes. 'It'll help free up valuable time for our team, improve the accuracy of our reporting, and give us confidence that our systems can keep pace as we continue to grow. 'That kind of support is game-changing for a club with big ambitions, both on and off the court.' David Lindores, CEO at Eureka Solutions, said: 'We're proud to be partnering with a club that's breaking new ground in Scottish sport. Caledonia Gladiators' drive for operational excellence mirrors our own ethos, and we're looking forward to being part of that journey. 'As professional sports clubs continue to grow, there is increasing recognition that behind-the-scenes operations can have a significant impact on both business and team success. 'With the help of iplicit and Besyncly, we're ensuring the Gladiators are equipped with a flexible, future-proof solution. 'This project is a great example of what our team does best: solving complex integration challenges with clarity and precision. It's down to this that we've carved out a niche in the professional sports world as the go-to business solutions partner.' With plans in place for a 6,000-seat stadium, and a track record of parity across its men's and women's teams, the franchise has become a pioneer for Scottish basketball. David added: 'This is more than a sponsorship, it's a strategic partnership. The exposure is great, of course, but it's the alignment in vision and ambition that makes this such a natural fit. We're looking forward to a successful season on and off the court.' Eureka Solutions adds Caledonia Gladiators to its growing roster of professional sports organisations, including football clubs Aberdeen, Millwall, Hearts and Luton Town, as well as golfing organisation The R&A.
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Caledonian Gladiators appoint club legend as head coach
The East Kilbride basketball franchise have made a permanent appointment Caledonia Gladiators has appointed club legend Jonny Bunyan as its men's head coach for the 2025/26 season. Jonny, 33, who captained the East Kilbride side to their first silverware in two decades when they won the Super League Basketball Trophy final in 2022/23, had been interim head coach at the national club since stepping into the position in January. The team enjoyed an uplift in performances during the ex-Scotland point guard's time in charge, despite it being a challenging campaign, and he has now been appointed into the role as the club seeks to turnaround its fortunes in season 2025/26. Jonny, who played more than 400 times for the club, said: 'I'm really honoured to be taking on the role of head coach at the Caledonia Gladiators - a team I've had such a huge connection with over the years. 'The club means a lot to me and my family – my brother Keith played for the club for six years and also lifted silverware here – and we've supported the club my whole life. It's like a second home for me. 'It was a tough season for our men's team last season, but I'm determined to improve results and see us perform to the levels I know we're capable of. 'The aim now is to get the club back to where it should be – fighting for championships and back up towards the top of the league, putting in good performances in front of our home crowd.' Jonny has been associated with the Gladiators for nearly 15 years and recently enjoyed his testimonial season. The club veteran is second in the all-time standings for club appearances with 424 games. The highlight of his time at the club was winning the Super League Basketball Trophy final in 2022/23 when they defeated Cheshire Phoenix 73-70. His brother Keith, 47, previously won the Super League Basketball Playoffs with the club in 2002/3. Jonny finished his playing career at the Gladiators in January 2024 to move into a community development role with the club as part of their community outreach programme, which he combined with playing for his hometown club Falkirk Fury. Jonny has played for Scotland at every age level, representing his country as they finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018, and he has also been picked for Great Britain squads at under 20 level. Delighted Jonny added: 'We want to fly the banner for basketball in Scotland here. 'It was obviously challenging stepping into the role of head coach for the first time, but I felt like I really grew into the role and got some good performances from the team towards the end of the season. 'I believe I can put my own stamp on the team for the new season and make it into an exciting team our fans can be proud of.' The new head coach hopes to announce new signings within the coming weeks, with recruitment well-underway, and the club will provide updates on those in due course. Tony McDaid, Caledonia Gladiators chief executive, said: 'Everybody at the club has been hugely impressed by Jonny since he stepped into the head coach role earlier this year. 'He has a real command of the dressing room, and we view Jonny as a natural fit for this role longer term. 'We know Jonny is a real fan favourite, and we hope this news will be well received by fans as we look forward to the new season.'
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Kids can join the circus at EK, East Kilbride this summer
Each weekend will feature a fab line-up of circus-themed entertainment including circus skills workshops, acrobatics, juggling, arts and crafts sessions and face painting. EK, East Kilbride is turning up the fun this summer with a FREE circus-themed programme designed to delight children every weekend during the school holidays. From Sunday, July 6, to Sunday, August 10, the Plaza mall will be transformed into a colourful circus ring of imagination, laughter and skill-building fun. Each weekend will feature a fab line-up of circus-themed entertainment including circus skills workshops, acrobatics, juggling, arts and crafts sessions and face painting. With the addition of basketball skills and tricks from East Kilbride's very own Caledonia Gladiators, there's something for every aspiring performer. During weekdays, the area will shift gears to become a circus selfie arena - a bright and bold space decked out with fun props and backdrops perfect for Instagram-worthy family photos. Entry is free, and visitors are encouraged to share their shots using #EKsummercircus. Weekend events include: Sunday, July 6 (11am to 2pm): Diabolo and plate-spinning circus skills; Saturday, July 12 (11am to 2pm): 'Game Set Juggle' workshop with tennis rackets, footballs, and hula hoops; Sunday, July 13 (11am to 2pm): Acrobatics and balancing events; Saturday, July 19 (11am to 3pm): Arts and crafts including circus-themed ceramics; Sunday, July 20 (11am to 3pm): Circus face painting and glitter bar; Saturday, July 26 (11am to 3pm): Circus themed mask making; Sunday, July 27 (11am to 3pm): Circus face painting and glitter bar; Saturday, August 2 (11am to 2pm): Spinning circus skills (diabolo, poi-spinning, plate-spinning and ribbon twirling); Sunday, August 3 (11am to 2pm): Hula Hoop events and workshops; Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 (time tbc): Skills and tricks with Caledonia Gladiators. Workshops and events will run intermittently during the times detailed above. Exact timings will be available on the day. On top of the live action, children can enjoy an interactive scavenger hunt throughout the centre. Search for circus character posters in shop windows, collect letters, and solve a riddle to win a fun prize. Keep an eye on Facebook too over the summer holidays for a fab circus-themed competition. Alan Smillie, centre manager at East Kilbride Shopping Centre, said: 'We're thrilled to be bringing a burst of colour, fun and creativity to the centre this summer. "The circus theme offers a fantastic mix of hands-on workshops and entertaining events - all completely free of charge. It's a great way to keep kids engaged during the holidays while adding a real buzz to the centre.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bunyan hopes to get Gladiators 'back fighting'
Jonny Bunyan hopes to get Caledonia Gladiators' men's team "back to where it should be" after being appointed head 33-year-old had returned to the club as interim boss in January, replacing Robbie Peers. The East Kilbride-based team ultimately missed out on last season's was captain when the Gladiators won the Super League Basketball Trophy final in point guard made more than 400 Gladiators appearances and represented Scotland, leaving the Playsport Arena for Falkirk Fury in 2024."I'm really honoured to be taking on the role of head coach at the Caledonia Gladiators - a team I've had such a huge connection with over the years," said Bunyan. "The club means a lot to me and my family – my brother Keith played for the club for six years and also lifted silverware here – and we've supported the club my whole life. It's like a second home for me."It was a tough season for our men's team last season, but I'm determined to improve results and see us perform to the levels I know we're capable of."The aim now is to get the club back to where it should be – fighting for championships and back up towards the top of the league, putting in good performances in front of our home crowd."Chief executive Tony McDaid added: "Everybody at the club has been hugely impressed by Jonny since he stepped into the head coach role earlier this year."He has a real command of the dressing room and we view Jonny as a natural fit for this role longer term. We know Jonny is a real fan favourite and we hope this news will be well received by fans as we look forward to the new season."
