"The BBL is the premier basketball league in the UK and is going from strength to strength," said Matt Newbie, director of basketball and head coach of Leeds Carnegie.

"It is a great time to make the move up and it will ultimately help us achieve our goal of creating a complete performance pathway, which we have been building since 2006.

"It will further enhance our community focus and commitment to social agendas and ultimately we hope to inspire a new generation of basketball enthusiasts within the city of Leeds."

Carnegie began their rise to prominence in 2006 following the establishment of the Leeds Carnegie programme, a partnership between Leeds Metropolitan University and the Leeds North-East School Sports Partnership based at Carr Manor High School.

The flagship men's team broke onto the scene with three back to back promotions in the English Basketball League in their first three seasons before settling into division one where they remain competitive without yet winning the title.

The 2014-2015 season will now see the Yorkshire side move to Britain's premier professional basketball league to compete against 14 of the best teams across the UK.

Leeds Carnegie will join the likes of the Newcastle Eagles and Guildford Heat in the top-tier of British basketball ©Getty Images



The league is an independent company owned by its member clubs and there is no promotion and relegation to or from the second tier - the English Basketball League and the Scottish Basketball League.

"We are pleased to welcome Leeds Carnegie to the BBL," said Andy Webb, chief operating officer for the BBL.

"Their addition will take our roster to 15 clubs for next season and will give us a second club in Yorkshire.

"The club have a solid community base from which to grow, and we look forward to working with them to develop the club in the coming seasons."

Carnegie will get their first taste of BBL action when they take on the Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy first round in January 2014, subject to meeting agreed criteria from the BBL.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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