Blog Archives

Dragons unveil ‘Mexcellent’ new shirt sponsor!

26/8/2016

Bradford Dragons Basketball Club are delighted to announce Taco Bell Bradford as their new front of shirt sponsor.

Bradford Dragons will sport the Taco Bell Bradford logo on the front of both their home and away shirts for the next two seasons.

American food giant, Taco Bell first launched in the United Kingdom during the 1980’s, with a number of stores located in London, which are well remembered today for their wide variety of Mexican menu items. As part of a fresh approach to developing their brand within the UK, the company have recently opened an outlet in Bradford, currently one of only ten Taco Bell restaurants in the UK, as part of the Broadway development in the city centre.

Double boost for Bradford Dragons

25/8/2016

Bradford Dragons today introduced two new signings to their 2016/17 roster, Florent Levazeux and Antonio Deogratias.

23 year old, 6’7” French forward, Levazeux, has previously played his basketball in the French National third division, with both Hagetmau Doazit Basket and Pays d’Aux Basket. When asked for comment, Levazeux stated, “I am really happy to be joining the Bradford Dragons. It’s an amazing opportunity to come and play for this club, so I’ll do my best, I am motivated! We have a really good team, so I really hope that we can reach the top of the rank, so for that we will have to be hard in defence.”

6’5” Deogratias, is a British forward, who is a product of the Oakland Wolves Basketball Academy, part of Oaklands College in Hertfordshire. For the 2015/16 season Deogratias was on the books of local BBL side Leeds Force, competing in their university development team. “I’m happy that I have the opportunity to work with coach Chris (Mellor) and develop as a player and continue learning about the game,” commented Deogratias. “To compete with this group of guys, day in and day out, is going to be fun but the ultimate goal is to win – nothing less. I feel that with this group of guys we can do it.”

Coach Mellor added, “Antonio is a young player, who I feel has great potential. He obviously lacks experience at this level but he is very committed to getting better and he will definitely get his chance this season to showcase his talents. Florent similarly is showing good signs, early in preseason, that he can also be a factor for us. He’s long and athletic and has a nice touch around the basket and hopefully, if he gets himself in excellent shape in the next few weeks, he can contribute”.

Bradford fans will have their first opportunity to see both of these new signings in action during the clubs pre-season exhibition game against an American Select side. The game will be played at Bradford University Sports Centre on Tuesday 6th September and will tip-off at 7:30pm.

It's Swaine again (and again) for Bradford Dragons.

22/8/2016

Bradford Dragons today announced that, the National Basketball leagues first ever father and son duo, Jason and Eisley Swaine, will be back on their roster for the forthcoming 2016/17 season.

At 41 years young, dad Jason is the most senior member of the Dragons playing squad and offers up a wealth of experience at the top end of the game, with 24 senior caps for the England men's national team and an array of honours throughout his playing career. He played a key role in Bradford's survival fight in division one last season, often playing through the pain barrier, as he suffered from plantar fasciitis, such is his dedication to the sport and to the team.

On committing to a third season with the Dragons, Swaine commented, "After a frustrating season last time around, with a bad foot injury, I am looking forward to the season ahead. Although I expect to play a different role this year, I am still excited about the challenge and the group of players we have. I still believe we have one of the best coaches in the UK and I am looking forward to the journey ahead."

Second double scoop for Dragons.

18/8/2016

Following on from the announcement that Rihards Sulcs and Jermayne Laing will be back in the Dragons Den for another season, Bradford Dragons today confirmed that guards Rafi Saipe and Dwayne Camille have also re-joined their roster for the 2016/17 season.

6’2” Saipe, returns for his third season in Dragons’ colours, having first joined the club in 2014 from neighbouring Leeds Force. Having spent most of his first season in Bradford colours as a bench player, he firmly established himself in the starting five last time around. Known for his tenacious defending, Saipe is also a capable shooter and rebounder at the offensive end.

“I’m looking forward to the new season and improving on last season by reaching the playoffs,” commented Saipe. “I know that if we work hard, play together and listen to the coaching staff that this will be doable. Manchester Magic is our first competitive game, which will be a good test against last season’s quadruple champions.”

New Online ticket sales partnership for 2016

16/8/2016

Bradford Dragons Basketball Club are pleased to announce a new on-line ticket sales partnership with TryBooking.co.uk.

TryBooking is the first fully integrated online booking and registration system created specifically to meet the needs of community groups, providing simple yet sophisticated technology which is accessible and affordable for everyone.

A spokesperson for the Dragons commented, "We are really excited about this new partnership with TryBooking.co.uk. We have experimented with on-line ticket sales in the past however, complicated pricing structures have made it difficult for us to set on-line prices that offer value for both the club and our supporters. TryBooking.co.uk offer us an extremely simple and cost effective pricing structure, which will provide sustainable benefits to all parties. We would encourage all our supporters to book their tickets in advance, using the TryBooking.co.uk system, as this not only assists us with our match day preparations, but also offers discounts off the on-the-door prices, thus saving our supporters money."

Tickets are already on sale for the early season National Trophy games and can be accessed by using the following link: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/Event/EventListingURL.aspx?aid=153

Duo return to the Dragons' Den

16/8/2016

Bradford Dragons today announced that fans favourites Rihards Sulcs and Jermayne Laing will both be returning for the 2016/17 season.

Latvian 6'3" forward, Sulcs spent the first half of the last campaign on the sidelines, having picked up a serious knee injury during the preseason. Returning to the side in January, Sulcs wasted no time in reinforcing his reputation for one of the most highlighted slam dunk finishes in British Basketball, and Dragons supporters will be looking forward to more of the same this season. Entering his eighth season with the club, Sulcs is the longest serving player on the Dragons roster, having been instrumental throughout the clubs rise from the lower divisions and into the National League Division 1.

Meanwhile, local boy Laing goes into his fourth campaign with the Dragons, having joined the club at the start of the 2013/14 season from neighbouring Leeds Force. Having established himself firmly in the Dragons camp, last season he was handed the club captaincy.

Bradford Dragons announce new management structure

11/8/2016

Bradford Dragons Basketball Club today announced a new management structure within the club, following the recent resignation of former Chairman and club founder, Stuart Culliford.

Culliford leaves his position within the club after 15 years at the helm, having initially formed the Dragons in the summer of 2001, in response to the demand from a group of year 11 ‘ballers’ from Beckfoot School, near Bingley, who wanted to play competitive Basketball.

Following an initial period of focus on youth development, the Dragons first entered the Senior National leagues, under Culliford’s direction, in 2005, finishing fifth in Division 3 (north) in their first season, just missing out on a playoff position.