20/06/07 In an exciting development for the British Basketball League (BBL), the Everton Tigers are to join their burgeoning ranks ahead of the 2007/08 campaign. The Tigers, associated with Everton Football Club of the Premier League through the Everton in the Community scheme, will be bringing BBL basketball to Merseyside for the first time in the twenty-year history of Britain's top division. The new organisation will emanate from the Toxteth Tigers club that has enjoyed a significant presence in the area for over forty years. They are currently the leading providers of basketball opportunities in Liverpool, reaching over 1,500 people each year. They have also combined with Liverpool Community College to form the Basketball Academy in the city, and boast two current England players amongst their ranks. Having already added the Birmingham Panthers and PAWS London Capital to the league ahead of the new campaign, BBL Chairman Paul Blake enthused about the latest addition, "It's great to have another new organisation enter the league. The Tigers are based in one of the UK's major cities, with a great sporting heritage, and the 2008 European Capital of Culture to look forward to. "What impressed us most about the club's application was their community commitment, building from the grassroots up, and their connection with the Everton in the Community scheme, which is based on a multi-sport approach to development. "We wish them all the best for the forthcoming 2007/08 season." Everton in the Community Trustee, and Head of Human Resources at Everton Football Club, Gary Townsend, commented, "This is an exciting opportunity for us both in a sporting and community based sense. "Basketball remains an extremely popular sport and we hope that through the association of Everton we can not only aid its growth but also introduce our club to a wider local and national audience." Head Coach Henry Mooney, a former England men's team assistant coach and one of the founders of the existing Tigers programme, added, "This is an exciting new initiative to provide professional basketball linked to community regeneration. "Merseyside has not competed at the highest level for many years. This will provide opportunities for local players to develop through Everton Tigers and the Basketball Academy rather than having to move to the USA or abroad." The new organisation shall form strong links with the city council, local schools and the voluntary sector to implement what they anticipate will be the largest programme of basketball development in the UK. Council leader Warren Bradley said, "The city council is delighted to be working in partnership with Everton in the Community on this exciting new initiative. "This is an exciting vision for basketball in Liverpool and will give many local youngsters the opportunity to get involved in top quality sport and help them reach their full potential. "Liverpool already has an unrivalled reputation for producing some of the world's best footballers, and there is no reason why we can not do the same in basketball.".
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