Men on the move this season include Shekoubah Sessay, pictured above winning the ball for Giants against Manzur. who joins Le Mont Saint in two restructered line-ups. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0524651)
PAT OGIER has returned as president of the Guernsey Basketball Association in its 40th anniversary year. He is back in the hot seat after a year’s absence.
Peter Beausire moves sideways to the secretary position and Adam Farish replaces James Tracey as vice-president. Ogier says this is an important year for Guernsey basketball with a busy league season, a home inter-insular, youth games and an Island Games to look forward to.
These events will be the committee’s main focus as well as trying to develop relations with the schools to make recruitment at development level easier for clubs and coaches.
But undoubtedly the biggest change is the island women’s side entering into the National League for the first time.
They will be playing in the South West League Division Two against Bristol Flyers, Bristol Storm, Taunton, UWIC, Cardiff Celts, Guildford and Birmingham.
The Guernsey team will play their home games out of Hamble Community Centre – a brilliant facility which is used by Division One team Solent Suns. Guernsey will also be the only second division side (men or women) to have their stats recorded live, so followers and supporters back home can follow the score on the internet at www.sportingpulse.com.
The squad for this weekend’s first two matches against UWIC Archers in Cardiff today and Birmigham Blazers (Hamble) tomorrow is Emma Pattimore, Kerri Brown, Rochelle Vaudin, Emma Hicks, Liz Kerr (captain), Tracy Martel, Amy Wright, Jo Bellis, Lorna Brown, Sammie Redhead, Kat Daunt, Vikki Loveridge, Gemma Loveridge and Jenny Rees.
Ogier said the entrance into the National League is ‘a testament to the players and coaches that have worked so hard to put themselves in this position and we are confident they will make the GBA and the island proud’.
Domestically, there will be five leagues contested this winter.
The men’s first division sees the same five teams as last season, although personnel will change. Shekoubah Sessay joins Le Mont Saint in two restructured line-ups, while Collins Stewart have lost Nigel Govett to injury and Matt Sawbridge to university.
Ogier has moved down a division due to his National League coaching commitments. Collins Stewart Inferno have added Aivars Pilmanis and Jim Rowe to their line-up.
In Division Two last year’s winners Goldridge have split and added a few more players to enter two teams this year.
Collins Stewart Heat have added Max Hunter, Ogier and the returning Chris Bale to their ranks.
Bredoyle, Manzur and RGF remain mainly unchanged but will be confident of mounting a serious title challenge.
In the women’s leagues TLC have split to form an A and B side.
Team TLC will consist of island players Emma Pattimore, Tracy Martel, Sarah Gaudion and Donna Brehaut to add to former stars Kath Guille and Sarah Stonebridge, making for a formidable line-up.
Favourites will once again be Collins Stewart who despite having lost young island stars Emma Hicks and Amy Wright, are bolstered by the returning Nat Whitty to go with new signings Kat Daunt, Vikki Loveridge and Claire Green.
Rochelle Vaudin, Gemma Loveridge, Lorna Brown, Jo Bellis and Katie Cochrane complete the line-up.
Louvre Group have made perhaps the best signing in former Reading Rockets player Jenny Rees, while Shootin Starz have split into two teams having recruited Karen Jehan, Sarah Biggins and a number of other experienced players.
GTS and Capital PVC return with the same players to complete the Women’s league competitors.
The social league features Kleinwort Benson, Collins Stewart Juniors, Bouet Ballers and Dee-Caf Magics with all teams capable of walking away with the title.
Article posted on 4th October, 2008 - 9.29am
Most Commented: