Basketball Team Are National Champions

A basketball team featuring University of Wolverhampton students is celebrating after being named league champions.

The Black Country University of Wolverhampton Men’s team are National League Division 3 champions.

They beat London Towers in the final 79 – 75. The team is a mixture of University students and players from the local community.

The team were runners up in the Division three (North) regular season. They overcame Brixton Topcats 90 – 78 in the quarter finals and beat Cardiff Celts in the semi finals 88 – 82 to set up the final against the Towers.

The team rose from the ashes of the Walsall Wizards who played in National League Division 3. At the suggestion of Nick O’Leary, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in PE and England Basketball Senior Coach, the Wizards joined forces with the University. In the next two seasons, coached by Nick, the team made good progress in Division 3, reaching the play offs last season.

Nick O’Leary said: “This season coached by Tony Simms, an ex England international and current PE student, the team has gone from strength to strength culminating in the honour of being crowned National Champions. We expect the team to play in National League Division 2 next season.”

Meanwhile, Black Country basketball club also has a women’s National League team who play in Division 2. The ladies also made the play offs this season but were defeated in the semi finals by UWIC Stealers 74 – 55. It is hoped the Athletic Union can support this team in the future and provide a stable financial footing to allow it to develop still further.

And in other news, the Wolverhampton Rhinos, who play National League Division 1 wheelchair basketball, are playing at the University next year and will become part of the Black Country Club. The team also plays European Super League basketball and contains several international players.

Nick O’Leary said: “I am in discussion to bring some of these players to the University to study various degrees and assist with their playing careers.”

The Black Country Club is hosting a summer basketball camp at the University’s Walsall campus for 11 – 18 year olds to improve basketball in the area and further develop the relationship between the local community and the University. The event will take place between Tuesday, August 28 and Saturday, September 1. For details contact Nick O’Leary on 01922 692115.