2018 sees the extension of the Eagles performance pathway to include an under 19 team that will compete in the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL). Entry to the league is by invitation only and is made up of teams from around the country including BBL lead programmes.

The team is made up of student-athletes from Eagles Community Foundation (ECF) partner institutions including Gateshead College, TyneMet College, Gosforth Academy and Royal Grammar School, and is heavily supported from a sports and exercise medicine point of view by Newcastle College. The team will be coached by Eagles BBL assistant coach Ian Macleod.

Ian said “This is something we have been working towards for a few years now. Coupled with the new arena it is important that we put our best foot forward and our players are competing at the highest level possible domestically. The EABL is a very competitive league and it will be a great challenge for us all.”

Alongside competing, the players will also gain a qualification as they enrol on a Diploma is Sporting Excellence (DiSE) which will see them learn about the off-court aspects of performance sports and prepare them for a future in the industry.

Games will take place on Wednesdays at Newcastle College, until the new Eagles Community Arena is ready.

The team are already off to a winning start with their first game last night against SGS College, who are part of the Bristol Flyers programme, finishing 80-70 to the Eagles EABL team.

Find out more about programme and the squad as well as all their fixtures and results in our EABL team section.