Head coach Chloe Gaynor is delighted to add emerging forward Grace Rae, last season’s Newcastle Eagles Academy MVP, to the Women’s 2025/26 Super League Basketball (SLB) roster.
Promotion of the Eagles pathway star is something that will be celebrated across the entire organisation as Gaynor is able to confirm Rae to the senior level.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to watch Grace’s player development through the Eagles Academy over the past four years”, said Gaynor.
“Grace’s Academy coaches, ex-Eagle Marina Fernandez and Paul Nilsen, have done a fantastic job in helping her build a well-rounded physical and mental skillset.
“I’m excited to be able to give Grace the next opportunity in her basketball journey and simultaneously join the senior team.
“This hopefully shows all the young players in the North East that the opportunity is there should you be willing to take it, just like Grace has.”
Rae is no stranger to the top-level environment having trained several times last season with the Eagles women. The young player still has one year of eligibility for the Under-18 programme and will split her playing time and experience between the two teams.
The Newcastle Eagles Academy’s Head of Player Development and Coaching, Ian Macleod is thrilled at the prospect of a player progressing through the performance pathway.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Grace and I know she will give it her all”, said MacLeod.
“It is an exciting year for her both with SLB inclusion and a step up to the Premier Division with the Under-18 Academy team. Good things are happening.”
The highly promising 5’11 youngster will undoubtably in inspire many young women in the North East that seek to follow her basketball journey
“Grace is a forward who can handle the ball”, said Academy coach Paul Nilsen.
“She’s about 5’11” and is the first player of ‘modern era’ to make it all the way through the rapidly growing and improving Eagles pathway.
“Grace has taken incredible strides during the past year and has transformed herself as a player.
“She’s now capable of potentially contributing on a senior stage because of the countless extra hours of work she has put in.
“As well as that, she has been super-disciplined in soaking up her opportunities to learn from coach Chloe and the pros at the end of last season.”
“She still has many more big and exciting steps to take, but the combination of the U18’s promotion to the Premier and now being on the Women’s SLB roster should give her more challenges to conquer during this new season.”
Fans at the Vertu Arena gave the up-and-coming Eagles star a big round of applause when she was welcomed our on court at last night’s launch event and spoke about what it means to now have been signed to the women’s team.
Rae added: “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity as playing for this team has been a dream of mine since I first joined the Academy at Under-12s.
“I’m excited for this next chapter and am ready to give it my all.”
The Eagles Women’s opening game of the new season is at home on Sunday 21 September at 4:30pm against Sheffield Hatters and tickets are available on the box office.
