Three is the magic number for Chloe Gaynor after the popular centre revealed the triple lure of a second season on Tyneside.

The 24-year-old put any lingering injury fears to bed during a standout 2021-22 campaign for Newcastle Eagles WBBL.

And despite a challenging term for a team in transition, Gaynor was quick to commit her future to a club with women’s basketball at its heart.


“There are three things that drew me back here,” explained the former GB Under 20 star.

“Firstly, I couldn’t wait to get out and perform for our fans every week as they were so supportive and so committed.

“However much I was hurting and however much our backs were against the wall, the encouragement we got from the stands was on a different level.


Chloe Gaynor was a key player last season earning her the end of season fan-voted MVP award. (Photo and Featured Image: Abbie Orwin)

“Secondly, I really relate to [head coach] Noelia Cacheiro and her vision for the WBBL team moving forward.

“She’s going into her first full season at the top level and we both share a similar philosophy when it comes to the future.

“In terms of what we want to achieve and how we can achieve it we’re very much on the same page.

“Thirdly I have the opportunity to play a key role in developing basketball for women and girls in the North East.


Chloe Gaynor is leading the girls only coaching clinics to develop the future of female basketball in the North East. (Photo: Abbie Orwin)

“I want to give people the same opportunities I’ve had through basketball. It can be life-changing and it’s my job to get the word out there and get more girls playing the sport at every level.”

In tandem with her return to the WBBL, Gaynor has been charged with developing the future of female basketball in the North East both with juniors across the Eagles Community Foundation’s programmes and as the new head of women’s basketball at Northumbria University.

And although that means going head-to-head with Newcastle University playcaller Cacheiro in the race for BUCS points next season, it also enables both coaches to work together to raise the standard of the sport across Tyneside.

“Both universities working together to recruit and develop female players has to be the best way to benefit women’s basketball in the North East and Newcastle Eagles.

“It’s an opportunity to push the game to the next level and it’s a key part of the performance pathway.

“Noelia and I are keen to make this partnership work and we’re confident it can.

Gaynor has been handed a remit to boost the women’s game in the North East from top to bottom and has also taken on a commercial role with the Eagles.

The multi-talented East Midlander will assist Sales and Communications Manager Dan Black at the Vertu Motors Arena.

And Gaynor has agreed to coach the Eagles Academy Under 16 boys after leading the Under 14s into the second round of this season’s playoffs.

“I’m keen to develop the girls’ side of the game but I loved every minute coaching the boys,” she added.

“They’re such a great group and I wanted to move up to the next age level with them and see what they could achieve.

Last season Gaynor doubled her WBBL playing and community outreach commitments with coaching the Eagles Academy Under 14s. (Photo: Reece Alderson)

“It will be incredibly tough for them and in the first year, in particular, they’ll be under-sized against some experienced players.

“But their attitude is fantastic and they want to get better.

“All of this adds to what has been a brilliant experience for me in Newcastle.

“I love everything about the place, the people, the foundation and the club.

“I feel at home here and I’ve got some really exciting plans as far as developing the commercial side of things is concerned.

“It’s going to be an incredibly busy year on and off the court but working in basketball is all I want right now and I’ve been handed a fantastic opportunity.”