Club News

Thunder Half-term Basketball Camp:

The Worthing Thunder are hosting a 2-day Basketball camp
PLACE: The Angmering School.
DATE: Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th of February 2010
TIME: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (ages 8-15 yrs)

The campers will be coached by the THUNDER players themselves.

Each camper will receive one FREE ticket for the game on Saturday January 20th against the Everton Tigers at the Worthing Leisure Centre, tipping off at 7pm. The camp will consist of skill instruction, competitions, question and answer sessions and prizes!!!

The cost of the camp is £20*
(*Thunder and Angmering Cobra Junior players £5 discount).
Limited spaces so contact us now on 07834 828417 or daniel@worthing-thunder.org.uk

8 October - Worthing Thunder to support Orchid’s ‘Check ‘em Out!’ Testicular Cancer Awareness Week (24-31 October 2009)

Worthing Thunder, has backed a new testicular cancer awareness week - ‘Check ‘em Out’ (24-31 October 2009) - launched by Orchid, the only UK registered charity to focus entirely on the male-specific cancers. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44 with more than 2,000 cases in the UK every year.

Daniel Hilldreth, co-captain of Worthing Thunder says: “We’re a young, athletic team and it’s hard to believe that testicular cancer can affect lads my age. If there’s one message we want to get across to our fans, it’s to ensure they check themselves for lumps and bumps on a regular basis.”

To launch ‘Check ‘em Out!’ Worthing Thunder is dedicating a home game on Saturday 24 October.

3 September - Duo add to Thunder line-up

Worthing Thunder today strengthened their line-up with the announcement of two further signings for the forthcoming season:

Finnish International Ville Makalainen has agreed to sign for Worthing Thunder for the upcoming 2009/10 season.  Makalainen, a 6'5" forward, comes to the BBL fresh from his country's attempt to play in Eurobasket 2009 in Poland, losing out to eventual qualifiers France, who have a number of NBA players in their ranks.  Classed as a defensive specialist, which is how he got into the National Team, Ville still managed to average 11 points and 5 rebounds per game for KTP of the Finnish Korisliiga, the premier league in Finland and is heading the the UK looking to advance his game as he looks to play in the bigger leagues of continental Europe.  Thunder Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks is delighted with the capture: "Getting a current Division A international to come and play for the Thunder in the BBL is a real coup - whilst known for his defensive abilities, Ville is also extremely quick offensively and strong taking the ball to the basket.  I anticipate that we will be playing a somewhat different style of basketball to the other teams in the BBL this season, so it will be interesting to see how our opponents adapt.  Our starting five are all very quick, intelligent players, and although lacking in BBL experience, all bar Reggie Bratton have played professionally before, some for a number of seasons.  It is shaping up to be a great season!"

Thunder's final signing is 6'7"  forward Sam Cricelli. Local boy Sam hails from Brighton, but comes to the Thunder having had three seasons at NCAA Division 2 college Caldwell, where he averaged 11 points and 8 rebounds a game in his sophomore season before averaging 8 and 6 in an injury affected junior season last year.  A versatile athlete, Sam can play a number of positions on the floor and will be a key contributor from the bench.  Sweetman-Hicks comments on Cricelli's signing:"We're always looking to give local guys a chance to play in the BBL.  Sam comes to us having had a fine college career at a good school.  Now fully fit again, we hope that he will develop further this year, maybe even pushing for a starting spot."

These two signings bring the Thunder squad for the coming season up to 10 players, all able to contribute every night to the cause.  This is the best line up the club has ever put on the floor, with cover in all positions.

The first opportunity to see the team in action is the Thunder Cup on the 19th September, more details to follow shortly.  Before then though, there is an opportunity for supporters of the club to meet new Head Coach Dave Titmuss on Wednesday 9th September at 7pm in the Shaftesbury Room, Worthing Leisure Centre.  This will be followed by another of the club's popular Open Forums, where supporters can share ideas with the Club Directors.

27 August - Thunder prezzents...

Worthing Thunder Basketball Club is pleased to announce their eighth signing ahead of the 2009/10 British Basketball League season, with news that Sherrad Prezzie-Blue is coming to join the team. The 22 year old 5'11" Connecticut native was the standout point guard at Division 3 College Wentworth Tech, averaging 17 points a game, making 40% of his three point attempts and 81% of his free throws for his four years there.

Sherrad showed great loyalty to his coach by staying at Wentworth when other, bigger colleges came calling for him, which is part of the attraction for Thunder Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks: "Coach Dave Titmuss is very big on loyalty and team togetherness, so the fact that Sherrad stayed loyal to his coach at college is a big plus for us. Whilst his route to the BBL has not followed the established route, we are convinced that he can play at this level and that his lightening speed and accurate 3 point shooting will make him a genuine threat in this league and his all round game will help those around him to reach their full potential."

19 August - Trio return for Thunder

6'8" Latvian Power Forward and member of the BBL All Star team Janis Ivanovskis has signed for a third season with the Club. Having averaged 19.4 points and 10 rebounds a game last season, he adds greater depth at the Power Forward/Centre position following the arrival of Kadiri Richard and Pepe Zafirov for the coming season. Club Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks is happy that Janis has agreed terms for the 2009/10 season: "Janis was one of, if not the, strongest player in the BBL last season and was sixth top scorer and third highest rebounder in the league, despite playing out of position at Centre. With the arrival of Kadiri (Richard) and Pepe (Zafirov), there will be a lot less pressure on him to carry our offense inside and more opportunities for him to play at his favoured power forward position. It will be good to see how he links up with both of them."

6'3" James Brame will be playing his ninth consecutive season for the Thunder and his 13th in professional basketball overall, having made his debut as a 17 year old in 1997. Sweetman-Hicks is glad that he is continuing his association with the Thunder for another season: "James has been a part of Worthing basketball so long now it is hard to believe he is still not even 30 yet! He is an unselfish player, always willing to fill whatever role he is asked to, whether it is starting point guard, which he did in our second league winning year after Steve Vear's departure, or guarding 6'8" power forwards as he did last year. With the more balanced squad we have this year, hopefully he can settle down into playing his more natural shooting guard/small forward role"

6'5" Daniel Midgley returns for his 4th season in Thunder colours having made 70 appearances for the club, the majority of which have been in a starting role. The Burgess Hill based forward made his way through the Sussex junior programme before going to the University of Maine in Machias before returning to Sussex with first the Brighton Bears and then the Thunder. The versatile forward averages 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds a game for his Thunder career to date. Sweetman-Hicks is pleased that the player known as "Midge" will be back on the south coast this season: "Midge was one of few locally produced players to start for any team in the BBL last season, which was testament to the hard work he puts into his basketball. He does lots of the little things well, and is a good 3 point shooter, which teams often don't pick up on until his hit 2 or 3 of them! He is a key member of the squad and I'm glad that he's returning to us."

These three join fellow returnee Daniel Hildreth in playing for Thunder. Together with new signings Kadiri Richard, Reggie Bratton and Pepe Zafirov, the recruitment is going well for the coming season.

11 August - Fourth Signing Announced

27 year old Petroslav Zafirov (known as Pepe) a 6'8" Bulgarian Power Forward, has agreed to become Worthing Thunder’s latest signing.  The club beat off a number of other BBL clubs to secure the services of a player who has spent the past two seasons playing in the Bulgarian National League for their two best teams - Lukoil Academic and Levski Sofia (where he played alongside former BBL star Dwayne Morton), before finishing last season at Sliven, where he averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds per game.  
 
Zafirov (pictured) spent four years in the USA at college, including one year at NCAA I college Tennessee State and another one at NAIA school Mountain State.  Prior to going to the USA he was a member of the Bulgarian under 20 national team and since returning has been invited to national team training camps.

Worthing Thunder Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks is pleased that Zafirov has chosen Thunder ahead of other teams this coming season: "We think he will be a tremendous asset to the club with the excellent fundamental skills you would expect from an Eastern European; a smooth jump shot up to three point range and the ability to rebound well.  He has soft hands and is an excellent passer both around the court and from the post.  He can play both the Power Forward and Small Forward roles and can fill in at Centre if required."

Pepe is glad to be heading to the South Coast: "I feel very grateful for the opportunity of playing for Thunder. I like the UK very much and I think that the BBL is great spot for developing my basketball career and experience, so I'm very excited for the near future.  Especially working with such a proven, great coach like coach Titmuss with so much big winning experience.  I will work hard to do my best, to get us wins and satisfy Thunder fans".

3 August - Richard the Third!

American big man Kadiri Richard has put pen to paper as the third signing for the Worthing Thunder for the forthcoming BBL season. Power forward/Centre 29 year old Richard, who stands 6'8" tall, comes to the Thunder following spells playing professionally in America for the Halifax Rainmen in the ABA and the Wilmington Sea Dawgs in the PBL, in both cases topping the league in blocked shots per game and becoming a huge fan favourite for both his performances on court and work off court.

Richard attended the prestigious Oak Hill Academy as a teenager before attending Virginia Union University, which produced NBA Stars Charles Oakley and Ben Wallace. Whilst playing for the Rainmen, Kadiri averaged 4.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game and then in the recently finished PBL season he amassed 5.9 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Richard will add some defensive steel to the Thunder, whilst being a dangerous offensive force, particularly around the basket. Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks is excited by Richard's capture: "Kadiri is a tremendously athletic individual whom I am sure will be popular with our supporters. I anticipate that he will lead the league in blocked shots, but he will also rebound at both ends and be hard to stop around the basket on the offensive end. He has never been asked to lead a team on the offensive end too, and I am confident that he will be able to do so. As well as his on-court role, he has also been happy dealing with the community involvement of being a professional basketball player so he will be useful to us there too. I hope he will enjoy his time in the UK."

Kadiri also had a personal message for the Thunder fans:" Greetings everyone, looking forward to getting to the UK to help us, the Thunder be great,successful and get to the top of the league. I have been training with my best friend Torrell Martin (Greece/NBA Orlando Magic) daily. I look forward to arriving within the next month to meet and greet everyone. I'm excited to be coached by a proven great coach. See everyone soon. - Kadiri"

28 July - First signings announced

Worthing Thunder Basketball Club is pleased to announce the first two players to put pen to paper for the forthcoming 2009-10 season, the first to be played under new Head Coach Dave Titmuss. The first is new signing Reggie Bratton (pictured), who comes to Worthing from Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina, where he led the team in point scoring in both his Junior and Senior seasons.

The 6'4" Guard/Forward is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and is pleased to be heading to the South Coast: "I am happy to be coming to a team which has had past success in the EBL, and I look forward to bringing success now that the Thunder have moved up to the BBL".

Club Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks is also happy that the club has secured Reggie's services: "Reggie comes to us with an excellent record from his college in America and has also impressed at the various camps he has attended. Although 6'4" he plays bigger than that and will prove a difficult match up for his opponents - he was the first name on Coach Titmuss' list once he has agreed to coach the team, so we are pleased that we have been able to sign him. I'm sure he will become a big favourite with our supporters."

The second signing will need no introduction to the Thunder fans, nor supporters throughout the BBL, as the ever popular Daniel Hildreth returns to the club for his seventh season. Point guard Hildreth has made 127 appearances in his previous six seasons with the Thunder and averages 3.5 assists per game. He will combine his playing role with that of Community Development Director, where his hard work means that the club now has players going into many schools in Sussex to coach, and will go into even more this coming season.

Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks is glad that Hildreth is returning:"Daniel's on-court leadership showed through in a number of games last year and we are hoping for more of the same this year. On top of that though, his enthusiasm for his work in the community means that we are getting out to more and more people that may not otherwise of even heard of the Thunder, let alone come to any games, which can only be good for the club in the long term - Daniel is a vital component in the backroom team that keeps Thunder operating as well as being a high profile member of the playing staff."

16 July - Fixtures Announced

Thunder's fixtures for the forthcoming season have just been released by the BBL. They tip-off their domestic season against Plymouth Raiders on saturday 26th September and end their season against the same opposition on Sunday 18th April at the Pavillions.

For a full list of fixtures click here.

01 July - Titmuss takes the helm

Worthing Thunder Basketball Club is delighted to announce that Dave Titmuss , the widely respected former international coach, has agreed to join the club as Head Coach for the 2009/10 British Basketball League season.

Coach Titmuss joins the Thunder from former EBL rivals the Reading Rockets, whom he coached to a perfect 36-0 season in 2008/9 as they claimed all four trophies available to them in EBL Division 1. Having guided Rockets' progress through the EBL divisions, last season was the culmination of a project that now sees the Rockets as the dominant force in the EBL and with one of the best junior programmes in the country. Worthing Thunder now hope that he can achieve something similar on the South Coast and Titmuss is looking forward to the challenge: "I was delighted to accept the position of Head Coach with Worthing Thunder and I'm really looking forward to playing my part in helping the Club flourish in the years ahead. I think all successful organisations are built with good people who are committed to a common goal. I'm convinced that the Worthing BBL franchise is in great hands and has a bright future."

Recognised as a "World Class Coach" by UK Sport, Coach Titmuss is widely respected within the basketball fraternity and it is hoped that he will push Worthing to the next stage in their BBL ambitions, with the team having achieved 10 league wins and narrowly missing out on a play-off spot despite having a limited budget last season. "I know about the financial restraints that exist - especially in today's economic climate - but the Club is working hard to develop its commercial base and in the meantime we will maximise the available resources for the 2009/10 season while at the same time building for the future. My first job is to lay the foundations for on-court success starting with putting the squad together, changing the performance culture at the Club and introducing a technical programme that reflects the modern game."

Club Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks explains how the club came to the decision to appoint Coach Titmuss: "Having had applications from all around the globe including the USA, Australia and Denmark, as well as some of the top names in the UK, the club has gone for a coach with proven experience at the highest level and with a reputation for building successful programmes at all levels. We have a thriving junior programme and links with local universities, schools and colleges and we felt that Coach Titmuss was the right man to help us pull all the strands together and make the Thunder one of the top sides in the country with a strong community base, which is essential for the club's survival"

Coach Titmuss is under no illusions about the role he is undertaking, but is confident that he can help the team progress: "It's going to be tough. But if our guys can excel at playing together at both ends of the floor, if they commit to doing what it takes to win, then we'll have a team that supporters and everyone associated with Thunder will appreciate and be proud of."

Worthing Thunder's 2009/10 BBL season tips off with the "Thunder Cup" on the 19th September at Worthing Leisure Centre. Player signings and other information will be released during the course of the summer.

Season Ticket Deals:

Worthing Thunder would like to announce an amazing Early Bird offer on Season Tickets for the 2009/10 BBL season.

For season tickets purchased before the end of May the costs are only £50 for juniors and £100 for adults for a guaranteed seat at all games played at the club’s home venue, the Worthing Leisure Centre – a total of at least 20 games.

To take advantage of this excellent offer, please send a cheque, made payable to “Worthing Basketball Limited” to the club office – 68 St Andrews Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 1HL. If you prefer, this can be split over two cheques, with the second dated the 30th June 2009.

After the 31st May the prices rise to £70 and £130 respectively, which still represents excellent value for a guaranteed 20 games.

The Club is also pleased to announce that individual game ticket prices will remain unchanged for the new season at £8 for adults and £5 for juniors.