The most successful franchise in British Basketball League history will be based at the country’s newest indoor arena in a move set to take North East basketball to the next level.
Newcastle Eagles have announced their new home will be Northumbria University’s £30m Sport Central complex. Fabulous Flournoy’s title-winning roster will play out of the venue’s 3,000-capacity indoor arena – home to this month’s nailbiting Eurobasket qualifier between Team GB and FYR Macedonia.
And the move further strengthens a partnership which has seen the Eagles work alongside Team Northumbria’s EBL men’s and women’s basketball squads for a number of seasons.
‘Moving to Sport Central is an exciting new chapter in the history of Newcastle Eagles,’ said the club’s Managing Director, Paul Blake. ‘We already enjoy a fantastic relationship with Northumbria University and this move simply strengthens that bond.’
‘We leave Newcastle Arena with a little sadness and some fantastic memories. We would personally like to thank Colin Revel and his team for all the support they have given over the last 14 years – they have been very much a part of the Eagles family and key part of our trophy success. Fab’s home record as coach at the Arena was 143 wins to 34 losses, an amazing feat.’
Team Northumbria Marketing And Communications Manager Colin Stromsoy added: ‘Sport Central was always conceived as a world class venue which would present new oppo! rtunities to the whole of the region’s sporting community.
‘As well as offering Northumbria’s students the chance to play sport at a high level on their own doorstep, Sport Central is the perfect base for a club of Newcastle Eagles’ stature.’
The Arena Executive Director Colin Revel said; ‘Newcastle MetroRadio Arena has been fortunate to have some great times with Eagles and their fans and they move with our blessing and best wishes after being exemparily tennants’.
Newcastle Eagles play their first game at their new home against the Sheffield Sharks on September 24th 2010 with the tip off at 7.30pm
