The basketball season has just come to a close but the Heat management team are already looking ahead to next season. Alan McClafferty, owner of the Heat said “Everyone is disappointed with our team performance this season. But we need to regroup and be more competitive next season. One change next season is Chad McKnight (pictured) is stepping down as player / coach but I am hoping he will return as a key player. We are delighted to have re-signed Julius Joseph along with Mike Martin – two of the top ten British basketball players – and intend to use the summer period to recruit exceptionally talented players to join them in our BBL team.”
According to Mike Davies, general manager of the Heat, “Like all businesses in the current climate we have conducted a stringent review of our budgets. We have attracted a large amount of sponsors, thanks to the success of the Heat Business Club, the usual government funding which we had expected, was not available this year. This has put huge pressure on the club financially all of which has had to be covered by the owner.”
As the only premier division sports team in Surrey, the Heat has huge growth potential.
The 2010/2011 season marks a fresh start for the Heat, with its new home at the Surrey Sports Park, which enables all of its elite teams (BBL and National League) to train and play under one roof, with access to outstanding facilities. The club will also continue with its excellent work in the local community, coaching in schools throughout Surrey and Berkshire helping youngsters to tackle obesity and anti-social behaviour.
Mike Davies concludes, “Our new home at the Surrey Sports Park, coupled with our continued work in the community, will help the Heat to create an even higher profile in the area. Despite this season’s results, the Heat is still one of the UK’s most successful professional basketball teams, having won all the domestic titles over the last five years. We believe we are positioned for even greater success in the future.”
Source: www.bbl.org.uk
