HUDDERSFIELD Heat are looking forward to the New Year, both on and off the basketball court.
The club are celebrating one of the most successful years in their history, and following their promotion from the English Basketball League Division IV and the end of the 2010/11 season they are now consolidating with a mid-table position in Division III North.
“After winning Division IV North the previous year and not being able to take promotion due to off-court issues, it was imperative we secured promotion last season with the current group of players,” said general manager and player-coach Eduardo Perez.
“Even though we fell short of defending our title, to achieve what was effectively our second promotion in a row was a fantastic achievement, particularly when you consider the resources of just about every other club in our league compared to our own.
“The challenge is now to continue to build on that progress and become an established team in Division III this year and look to progress further next season.
“We are hoping to announce two major partnerships in January, and then the club will focus on two long-term aims, to attract long-term sponsors and the development of a dedicated basketball facility in the centre of Huddersfield.
“Off the court we continue to make big strides, and I feel strongly over the last year that more and more people are becoming aware of the fact that Huddersfield has a good basketball club to go alongside the traditional sports the town has in football and rugby.
“In the long term, our goal is for a dedicated centre which is now in progress, and the club could certainly like to hear from other interested clubs if they would like to form part of a potential project.
“All in all, despite the challenges, last year was a very successful one, and we are now looking forward to an exciting one ahead.”
Huddersfield Heat resume their campaign on January 7, when they travel to current League leaders Loughborough Riders.
