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.