There's a Storm brewing in Hemel!
International players and an 'unparallelled' coaching team will be part of Hemel Hempstead's brand new basketball team.
Hemel Hempstead Storm Basketball Club will play in Division Two of the English Basketball League (EBL), under the guidance of some of the biggest names in the business.
Dave Titmuss, a former England National Coach and Great Britain wheelchair basketball Olympic team coach, will run the club's academy which is due to be in full operation this time next year.
Meanwhile Great Britain U20 international Simon 'Spud' Kearney and former USA college ball player Jamie Ashwin, both forwards, are the club's first on-court signings.
Title-studded 'Spud' will captain the team, who will play their home games at Sportspace Hemel Hempstead in front of as many as 600 fans in their royal blue get-up.
"I can't see anyone in the county with a better roster and coaching force," said chairman Neil McElduff.
"We're all very excited about the possibilities.
"We want to build a strong, community-based club, provide great family entertainment at our EBL home games and bring national sporting recognition to the town.
"The first goal for our senior men's team is to win promotion to Division One."
Given the task of achieving that are Hemel-based coaches Tony Harrison and Jon Burnell.
The former took the now-defunct West Herts Warriors to Division One with the latter coaching London Leopards in Division One for the past six seasons.
Storm's creation comes 13 years after the side now known as Milton Keynes Lions left the area. Originally formed as Hemel Hempstead Lakers, they joined the National League in 1977 and, following a sponsorship deal, became known as 'Ovaltine Hemel Hempstead'.
Storm are due to announce their full roster this weekend.
They will play their first match together on Saturday, September 25, against lower-league Newham Neptunes in a cup tie.
The club's academy, which will be based in Bushey, is at the heart of their plans for the future.
They eventually want to have a team at every National League level.
Coach Titmuss will be busy scouting schools over the next 12 months on the lookout for top 16 to 18-year-old talent.
The club are looking for people to get involved with volunteering or sponsorship.
If you are interested call 01442 399356 or email coachtitmuss@aol.com.
More details can be found at www.stormbasketball.net
by Jake Rusby
jake.rusby@jpress.co.uk
Hemel Hempstead Ovaltine in action during the club's hey-day.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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