Matt Newby is excited to helm a women’s basketball programme dedicated to developing the game on and off the court after committing his future to Newcastle Eagles.

The experienced playcaller led the women in black to a sensational 2024 playoff final place after he was parachuted in to shake things up at the Vertu Motors Arena last November.

And Newby’s dynamic approach, slew of eye-catching signings and brand of attacking hoops swiftly transformed the Eagles into one of the hottest tickets in town.


Newby’s turnaround of the women’s team took them all the way to the Playoffs Final at London’s O2 back in May. (Photos: Gary Forster)

“I was always keen to stay on as head coach,” he admitted, after club bosses rubber-stamped a popular appointment.

“I enjoyed last season — it was always going to be a challenge but I committed to the role and decided to run with it.

“It was an incredible journey to go from where we were to the playoff final and it meant a lot to me that the players bought into what we were trying to achieve.


“Newcastle Eagles are an important part of the fabric of British basketball and I feel part of a club that’s embedded in the North East’s sporting landscape.

“It just felt right to stay on and continue my work here.”

Average crowds topping 700 witnessed a stunning revival during the second half of a thrilling season.

Newcastle fought hard to secure their playoff spot and it took star-studded London Lions to stop the Eagles in their tracks.


Last season was one of the most exciting and historic for our women’s franchise and Newby is looking forward to building on that performance. (Photos: Gary Forster)

“Wins and losses aside I loved the fact that we got the opportunity to fill our venue with aspirational young women and girls who want to follow in the footsteps of our senior players,” added Newby.

“On several occasions last season we were teetering on the brink of new attendance records — and that was despite the team having a slow start.

“Success builds interest and interest builds investment. I’m not just talking financially.

“More and more people are investing their time in women’s basketball in the North East and when there is a critical mass of support then good things happen.”

Newby is working around the clock to complement a clutch of returning stars with a handful of targeted new recruits.

And off the court club bosses are offering a range of attractive packages to potential sponsors keen to support one of the region’s fastest-rising sports.

“We’re proud that women’s basketball is established as a cornerstone of North East sport,” added Newcastle’s managing director, Paul Blake.

“Now we need our basketball community and local businesses to really get behind this fast-growing franchise.

“Last season we saw some of our biggest crowds supporting our top-flight women in exciting action on Saturday nights at the Vertu Motors Arena.

“We can’t wait to see how that growth continues in this coming campaign.

“It’s a great time to back women’s basketball and tap into a fanbase that’s as passionate as it is loyal.”

With less than two months until the new season tips off, Newcastle are stepping up their summer recruitment drive.

And coach Newby hopes to have the core of his roster in place by the time pre-season kicks in later this month.

“We’re in the market for players and we’ve already put some pieces in place,” he added. “The usual negotiations are taking place to ensure we can put the best roster possible on the floor.

“At this time of year it’s always a case of working out the pieces of a larger puzzle and every club’s the same. It’s not easy and you’re not always able to find the right pieces.

“It’s an ongoing process but we’ve started positively.

“I’m making the most of my first full season with the Eagles.

“Pre-season will start in late August and we’ll have 6-8 weeks to work on our roster, build player fitness and define our identity.

“It’s a period during which you can iron out any wrinkles and there’s the opportunity to make some key adjustments.

“We’re trying to build something special at Newcastle Eagles and pre-season is the time when we can lay the foundations for the future.”

Season tickets are still available for the 2024/25 women’s games on the box office for just £80 per person.

Find out about sponsorship opportunities with the Newcastle Eagles women’s team by emailing sales and communications manager Dan Black on [email protected].