º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to provide home venue for Leicester Riders
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sports Scholar Jamell Anderson – pic by Ville Vuorinen.
Leicester Riders and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ have agreed a partnership that will see all Riders British Basketball League (BBL) home games return to the University for the 2014/15 season.
This agreement will see both the Leicester Riders BBL teams play on campus for a single season ahead of moving into a new venue for the 2015/16 season.
Russell Levenston, Managing Director of the Leicester Riders, is excited about the possibilities º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ holds for the upcoming season.
“The Riders have an historic link with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and we are all looking forward to returning to the University for a season.
“The Leicester Riders are extremely grateful to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ for stepping in to assist us during the 2014/15 season and would like to thank all involved.
“We are working closely with them to ensure we maximise the opportunities for the students and staff throughout the coming year. We look forward to a successful season ahead.”
The announcement is the latest development between the Riders and the University, following the launch of the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Basketball Programme back in 2011.
The programme, a partnership between the Riders, University, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Students’ Union, has created a player pathway and academic opportunity for talented basketball players.
It has also seen the Riders utilise facilities at the University and College for training sessions and events including recruitment days.
Professor Robert Allison, Vice Chancellor of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, commented:
“At º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ we are renowned for sport. Therefore it was appropriate action for us to take to provide the Riders, one of the best known and most successful sporting teams in Leicestershire, with a home venue for next season.
“Not only will this agreement build on our existing partnership with the Riders, it will also give our students, staff and local community the opportunity to watch top flight basketball on our campus.”
Cllr Piara Singh-Clair, Assistant City Mayor for Culture, Leisure and Sport added:
"We are very grateful to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ for giving the Leicester Riders a home for the next season while we continue to work with them to secure a permanent home for the club here in the city."
The Leicester Riders will begin the BBL regular season against Manchester Giants on 27th September at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.