After last seasons success on the court in National League Division 1 the Club has had to reshape and restructure. The resignation of the committee and a huge debt announced at the AGM, combined with the retirement from National League basketball of 3 key players, job relocations, players moving away to college and last years Coach Tom Kambouris no longer able to commit to coaching, the Club was left with decisions to make.
This resulted in the decision by the club not to run a team in England Basketball's top flight and thus the unfortunate withdrawal from Division 1. With England Basketball not allowing the Club to drop down to Division 2, the Club now has to re-structure and again develop from National League Division 4. The Tigers women's team have also disbanded due to the lack of players.
Somerset Basketball Development Officer Gary Carter has stepped up to the mark to coach the Club's senior Mens team by combining the few remaining Division 1 players and last year's Division 4 team. The team have galvanised well in pre-season and will be a real force in the league, being strong favourites to get promoted. Team manager Paul Carter along with match day coordinator Claire Pinguenet still plan to put on a professional game day programme to entertain all the clubs loyal fans.
The picture is not all bleak as a few members have taken the initiative to make a fresh start. Dave Bullock who is now in his 24th year playing for the club has taken over as chairman and with Club stalwarts Reg Ellis, Jim Harston and Francis Scarborough reviewed the Club's financial situation and have cleared all debts. The Club has also become a registered charity which will bring in more income into the Club to support our junior programmes. Accountant Michelle Nicholls, who was regularly seen last year helping table officiate for the Division 1 team, has been appointed as Treasurer. She specialises in charity accounting and has already transformed the Club's financial procedures.
The Club have also been awarded a £9,960 sport England small grant to deliver a community Hoops4Health programme in 8 primary schools. This will encourage young people to be more active as well as educate them to eat well, resist smoking and drugs and to lead healthy active lifestyles. The club have teamed up with The County Sports Partnership (SASP), whose coaches will run after school basketball sessions resulting in a schools competition being organised in conjunction with Tone School Sports Partnership (TSSP).
The Club plans to rebuild its junior programme. Tigers favourite Matty Nolan is coaching the Tigers U14's who will really develop under his outstanding professional lead. Tom Kambouris — who manages the Richard Huish Sports Academies' coaches Cam Seeley and Joe Mills, (who are linked with the Tigers U18 and U16 teams respectively), have been set tougher coaching expectations and clear targets for the team. Jenny Ridgway and Laura Dyke have taken over the U18's girls development programme with the intention of re-launching a women's team. The Club also runs the ‘Slapheads’ team, which is a combination of old, bald, social and developing players who play in the Somerset league.
The men's Div 4 team will be playing at the Wellsprings Leisure Centre again this year with their first game this Sunday 3rd Oct v Gloster in the National Shield followed by a game the following week on the 10th October vs Plymouth Marjohns in the National Cup with games tipping off at 3pm. Adults £3, Children £1.50
The Club have talented players and coaches with a passionate and dedicated team behind the scenes. ‘The Tigers’ den will be a fierce place for the opposition to enter and the Club will rise again to be the Nationally recognised force in English basketball that the Clubs' loyal and enthusiastic supporters deserve.