Paul van Beek attacks the Jersey basket in the recent inter-insular. Next season the island team will be getting together regularly in the national league. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0749125)
THE Guernsey men’s basketball team have been accepted into the English League.
From next season, the Sarnians will take part in Division Four Men South West.
‘It’s a mixture of delight with the fact we’ve been accepted but this is where the hard work starts,’ said Guernsey men’s coach Jeff Stuart.
‘It’s good times ahead and hopefully it will be onwards and upwards.’
The team’s move into the National League follows the island’s women side, who made their debut in Division Two Midlands South West this winter.
The Guernsey men sacrificed going to the 2009 Island Games, which are being held at the end of June in Aland, to save money for the venture.
‘We’re a long way off being ready for our first game but this justifies stepping away from the Island Games because we’ve got a busy summer ahead preparing,’ said Stuart.
Like the women, the men will play their home games in Hamble, Southampton.
But Stuart is hopeful that some matches will be played at Beau Sejour.
‘We’re looking to contact the opposition teams and seeing if any are interested in coming over,’ he said.
‘It will be good for the island if we get teams across.’
The other teams in the league are Bath & Trowbridge Titans, Bognor Pirates, Bristol Storm, Cornwall Cougars, Plymouth Marjon II, Taunton Tigers II, Team Solent and University of Chichester Thunder.
Guernsey’s first match is due to take place in October.
Island star Shek Sesay said that the team were excited by the development.
‘It’s something that everyone is island basketball is looking forward to,’ he said.
‘It’s the next step for Guernsey. Gone are the days when we’re just waiting for one game, which is the inter-insular or the Island Games.
‘The National League will really show what level we are now at as a team. I’m looking forward to it.’
Sesay, who is originally from Sierra Leone but lived in the UK before coming to the island a couple of years ago, has National League experience.
He played for Brighton Cougars in the 1990s and gauged how well he thought Guernsey would do in Division Four Men South West.
‘I think we’ll hold our own,’ he said.
‘The league is not as strong now as say it was six years ago. I don’t think that’s a problem.
‘The key is organisation and it’s a huge commitment. But with the squad we’ve got, that won’t be a problem either.
‘It’s crucial that we’ve got the under-21s coming through. It will be a fantastic opportunity for them as well to see where their games are at.’
Article posted on 8th May, 2009 - 2.30pm
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