SHARKS FORGE NEW (OLD) BASE

By MVP Staff on March 14, 2019

Sheffield Sharks are to relocate to Ponds Forge next season and cut ties with the EIS.

The move comes weeks after their bid to build their own arena at the site formerly occupied by the Don Valley Stadium hit another bump in the road, with Council bosses refusing to underwrite a bank loan that would have advanced the plans.

The local authority has been accused of a conflict of interest after it instead signalled its intent to extend the existing facilities which it owns at the English Institute of Sport with a new four-court sports hall.

Sharks, who had been based at the venue for 13 years, have now jumped ship but will now return to their original city centre home â€“ also belonging to the Council â€“ while attempting to gap fund their own project with prominent local backers, including ex-UK Sports Minister Richard Caborn â€“ fighting their cause.

â€œWe have enjoyed our time at EISS, but since we have been there the programme of activities has grown to the point that having a consistent fixture list has proven to be very difficult,â€ said Sharks chair Yuri Matischen.

â€œLooking forward we can see regular games with no large gaps, and we can provide the spectator with a full day of basketball.â€

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