DOUGLAS TO GUIDE NEWCOMERS BIRMINGHAM
The new British Basketball League franchise in Birmingham has appointed Paul Douglas as their head coach as they prepare to enter the league next season.
A long-time player in the BBL, including a stint with the Bullets in his hometown, Douglas was the assistant coach for the ill-fated Panthers club in the city in 2007, as well as acting as head coach of EBL outfit Teesside for two years.
Of late, he has been involved with a number of community initiatives but he will now be handed the task of building a new team from scratch and earning a status of respectability in what will be a key market for expansion.
“I could not feel more excited about leading my home city in the top tier of British basketball and I am also looking forward to working towards establishing the BBL Birmingham brand across the city,†he said.
Douglas gets his shot (Pic: BBL)
“Birmingham has a rich history of basketball and the fans are very knowledgeable about the game. With this in mind I will do my utmost to try and bring those glory days back and give the fans a style of basketball that they will want to watch each and every week.”
The club, which has yet to be named, is close to completing its home venue. But in a change to their original plans, they will now be based at the three-year-old Doug Ellis Sports Centre, which is based on the campus of Birmingham City University, rather than at the Futsal Arena.
Douglas’ hiring adds another tick on their to-do list.
“Dougie is clearly very experienced and is also very passionate about representing his city in the BBL,†said director Jo Aldridge. “We’re thrilled to offer him the opportunity to help bring professional basketball back to Birmingham and I know he is wholeheartedly focused on creating a team of enthusiastic, passionate and skilful players that will entertain, inspire and generate success.
“We’ll soon be on the lookout for players who are just as devoted in representing Birmingham as he is! Dougie will also play a key role in the local community by representing our charity, the Birmingham Sports and Education Foundation, in schools. We look forward to a long term partnership with Dougie.”
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