Newcastle Eagles were the big winners at this year’s Sport Newcastle Annual Awards Dinner as they walked away with no fewer than three awards.

Leading the way was men’s head coach Marc Steutel. The Eagles and GB playcaller won Sport Newcastle Coach of the Year after leading the club to two finals and earning an historic international scalp at EuroBasket.

Next up was our Eagles Community Foundation CEO Sam Blake. One of the most familiar faces in North East sport scooped the Sport Newcastle Community award in recognition of her unique contribution to the region — on and off the court.


Sam Blake received the Sport Newcastle Community Champion Award, aptly presented by John Behan from Eagles club sponsor and foundation supporters SOS Group. (Photo: Ian Horrocks)

And there was a glimpse of the future as emerging talent Grace Rae was named as one of the Rising Stars of 2025 following her progression from the Eagles Academy to the Women’s Super League Basketball team this season.

Adopted Geordie Steutel is no stranger to the Sport Newcastle Annual Awards Dinner and the talented playcaller pipped Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe for the Coach of the Year award.

The Eagles talisman coached club and country to landmark successes throughout 2025 — and even found time to get married!


Steutel led the Eagles to SLB Trophy success before taking the club to a first European final.

On the international stage Great Britain head coach Stetuel anchored this summer’s EuroBasket campaign and steered the rank outsiders to a first win at the tournament since 2013.

“I’m fortunate to have an incredible support network around me, personally and professionally, to help me balance coaching both teams”, Steutel told the Civic Centre audience.

“We all do this for a million and one reasons, but always because we love sport. I love the North East, I love Newcastle, and I love everything about what our city represents and who we are. Basketball has to work for everything, so it’s all of these motivations that keep me on track and I’m really privileged.”


Marc Steutel received the Sport Newcastle Coaching Award 2025, presented by Alistair McDonald from Ward Hadaway. (Photos: Ian Horrocks)

But the Eagles’ success at the 2025 Sport Newcastle Awards Dinner didn’t end with the club’s celebrated senior coach.

This year’s Sport Newcastle Community Champion Award was presented to Sam Blake in recognition of her 25-plus years driving transformative initiatives across the region.

Sam was instrumental in establishing Hoops 4 Health — a wellbeing programme adopted by basketball clubs across the UK. The former international swimmer was also key to getting the Vertu Arena over the line and moved quickly to repurpose the community venue as a Covid hub at the height of the global pandemic.

On receiving the award, Eagles Community Foundation CEO Sam Blake DL said: “To find likeminded individuals who really want to drive sport to benefit the Night East is magic and I’m only here because of everyone who have played a part.

“This isn’t a one person journey, it’s an army and a team of people who believed in what we’ve built and given back to the North East.

“We’re always trying to serve the North East and make this the best possible region we can for sport and our young people.”

More than 150,000 young people have taken part in the hoops for health programme, 160 junior teams compete at the Vertu Arena each week and more than 270 players are on performance pathways.

One of those players — Grace Rae — was promoted to Chloe Gaynor’s senior roster in the summer and the 17-year-old was among 13 Rising Stars celebrated at this year’s Sport Newcastle Annual Awards Dinner.

Newcastle Eagles Academy and Women’s Super League Basketball player Grace Rae received her Rising Star trophy from Sport Newcastle patron Jonathan Edwards. (Photos: Ian Horrocks)

The talented forward was named the 2024/25 Eagles Academy MVP after joining the club’s player pathway programme aged just 12.