Latest news with #SLBTrophy
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Caledonia Gladiators owner hails fan backing as he teases 'even bigger season' to come in 2025/26
Steve Timoney has thanked supporters in an open letter after another season of trophy success at the club Caledonia Gladiators owner Steve Timoney has thanked fans for their support in another history-making year and promised to provide a bigger and better campaign next season. The club, based at Playsport in Stewartfield, saw their women's side lift silverware in the SLB Trophy, becoming the first female side in Scotland to do so. That followed on from the men's team winning the BBL Trophy the previous season. However, the men's side did not fare as well on the court this term as they finished bottom of the league, with head coach Gareth Murray sacked early in the campaign. Changes were made to the coaching staff across the rest of the season, eventually leading to Jonny Bunyan taking the reins as the club closed out the 2024/25 season. In an open letter to fans, Timoney thanked the Gladiators faithful for their backing and teased that exciting times lie ahead next season. He said: 'We are more than just a basketball club, we are a community, and without your passion and support throughout the season, none of this would be possible. 'This season, you've shown us what true support looks like. From the roar that fills our Arena to the quiet pride of sporting Gladiators colours wherever you go, your energy has lit up every moment – from the first tip-off to the final buzzer. 'We've faced challenges, we've celebrated victories, and your loyalty has reminded us why we do what we do. 'We believe that basketball can thrive in Scotland and that we're building a club that is not just about the present but is also laying the groundwork for future generations of the community that we are growing. 'This year brought history: our women's team lifted the 2024/25 SLB Trophy – Scotland's first-ever silverware for a female basketball team. A monumental achievement, and one that signals the bright future we're building together. 'We also welcomed club legend Jonny Bunyan back to the court but this time as the men's Head Coach and it's been fantastic to watch Jonny build momentum within the team. 'As the season closes, we look ahead with excitement to continue striving to achieve our vision of building a Basketball Nation. 'We're reflecting on our successes so far as we continue on our journey of creating something special – a community within Scotland that celebrates the very best of basketball for generations to come. 'But this journey wouldn't be the same without you. So, from the entire Caledonia Gladiators family – thank you for standing with us, game after game. 'This is only the beginning. We can't wait to share what's next as we gear up for an even bigger 2025/26 season.'
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Riders and Eagles aim to be basketball kings again
The two most successful clubs in British basketball meet in the Championship game on Sunday aiming to reassert their status of the top of the Eagles have won seven titles and an overall haul of 28 trophies is the most of any club, but it is now a decade since they were last national champions. Leicester Riders, meanwhile, sit one behind with six national titles, but the last of those was in they face off for the Super League Basketball title at London's O2 Arena (16:30 BST) with season's glory at stake. Newcastle are aiming for their second trophy of the season, having won the SLB Trophy in month, they were runners-up in the European North Basketball League as they fell just short in their attempt to add a first European title to their domestic finishing fifth in the regular-season table, they have found form in the play-offs as they edged past Manchester in the they impressively beat London Lions, champions last season, home and away to qualify for the coach Marc Steutel knows all about the Eagles' historic successes, and wants to write a new chapter."We're a club that is built on a lot of history and a lot of legacy," he told BBC Look North."It's important our players understand that, but the challenge every year is you're trying to build your own legacy."This group has done that in abundance. It's played some basketball our fans will remember for a lifetime."The basketball we've played epitomises our city - tough, hard-working, gritty." For Leicester, one man has been synonymous with their basketball glories - head coach Rob American has led the Riders since 2008 and all bar two of the club's 19 trophies have come on his 2013 and 2022, Paternostro picked up six British titles in 10 Riders come into this match on the back of a huge high in the semi-finals as they overturned a 10-point first leg deficit to beat Sheffield Sharks by 20 points in the return to book their spot in Paternostro is desperate to get that winning feeling once again."Whenever you get the opportunity to win one of those finals, you're on a cloud for a while," he told BBC East Midlands Today."It's a feeling that all of us that have had it before, want it again."You get to this point of the season and you've won as many games as we've won, you've got to believe in yourselves and go for it."
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'More to come' as Newcastle make European semi
Newcastle Eagles are "not satisfied yet" after making the semi-finals of the European North Basketball Eagles defeated defending champions Bakken Bears 93-73 at home to win 177-160 on aggregate, having lost the first leg in Denmark are aiming for their second trophy of the season, having won the Super League Basketball Trophy in January."This was one of our goals, to move forward in this competition," Josh Ward-Hibbert told BBC Look North."We're a stage closer but I don't think anyone's satisfied yet. With the team we've got, this is what we're planning for." The Final Four takes place on 8-9 April with the venue to be decided once all the finalists are known. Success in the SLB Trophy over Bristol Flyers was a 28th piece of silverware for the most successful men's franchise in British basketball. But all of those have come on the domestic front, so winning a European trophy would be new ground for the Eagles, led by ex-Great Britain head coach Marc 31, contributed 14 points at the Vertu Motors Arena as the English club convincingly overturned a three-point deficit against Bakken, the team who beat them at the same stage of this competition last now it leaves the guard and the rest of his team-mates chasing history. "It's something the club hasn't done before, so it's an amazing achievement," Ward-Hibbert added."Just the event and the whole few days that it's taking place over is going to be something amazing. "I can't wait to get my teeth stuck into it and hopefully come back with a couple more wins."
