Newcastle Eagles Academy has returned to the top tier of performance basketball after its partnership with Newcastle College secured a place in the country’s top five.

Following three years competing in the College Basketball League, the Newcastle College Eagles have been recognised by Basketball England as one of the best academy programmes in the country and rejoin the leading under-19 teams in the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL).

Underlining the Eagles’ ranking at the highest level of academy basketball, the programme also returns to delivering Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) qualifications and, for the first time, will enter a team into the Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL).

Newcastle College Principal Jon Ridley said: “Achieving Basketball England’s Category 1 status is a significant milestone for the Newcastle College Eagles Academy and recognition of the quality of the programme, the commitment of our staff and the talent of our student athletes.

“This status creates new opportunities for our learners to compete at the highest level of academy basketball, develop alongside talented young athletes from across the country and access additional support through the DiSE programme.

“At Newcastle College, we are committed to developing talent and helping students achieve their ambitions, whether that is in sport, education or their future careers. This recognition reflects the strength of the Academy and the opportunities it is creating for young people to fulfil their potential.”

The milestone reflects the continued growth of the partnership between Newcastle Eagles and Newcastle College, which has developed significantly since its launch in 2019. Together, the two organisations have built a pathway enabling young athletes in the North East to combine high-level basketball with a strong academic experience, supported by professional facilities and coaching.

Eagles Community Foundation CEO Sam Blake said: “We are proud to represent North East England in the top tier of performance for under-19s across both the female and male elite academy basketball levels.

“This is a fantastic example of what a strong academic partnership can achieve, and our work with Newcastle College continues to give opportunities for our young people to excel both on the court and in the classroom.”

At the heart of the programme is a close working relationship between the Eagles Academy coaches and Newcastle College staff, combining expertise on and off the court to create a high-performing environment for student-athletes.

Eagles Community Foundation Development Manager Ian MacLeod added: “We have worked tirelessly to create a holistic performance basketball offer for the North East.

“It is very satisfying that our work has been recognised, and players from across the region now have the opportunity to progress their development on and off the court within an academy programme rated top five in the country. We will keep working to ensure we go from strength to strength.”

This latest recognition builds on the strong academic foundations at the heart of the programme, with Newcastle College central to supporting student-athletes to succeed in both their studies and on the court. The DiSE pathway further strengthens that offer, helping learners balance elite competition with academic progression.

Jonathan Rees, Director of Health, Science and Welfare at Newcastle College, added: “We are incredibly proud that our basketball academy, delivered in partnership with the Newcastle Eagles, has achieved Category 1 status.

“This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and ambition of our student-athletes, coaches and academic staff, who strive every day to create an environment where young people can excel both on the court and in the classroom.

“Most importantly, this achievement creates even greater opportunities for our students, enabling them to compete at the highest level against peers from across the country while receiving a high-quality education and the opportunity to study any course at the College.”

The addition of both EABL and WEABL competition alongside DiSE delivery reinforces the Eagles performance pathway as one of the most complete programmes in the country and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, creating further opportunities for the next generation of North East talent to thrive.