Sport Central is new nest for Newcastle Eagles

The move, hailed as a new dawn for the current British Basketball league Champions, was announced at a joint press conference at the new £30m arena.

The Eagles will train and play their home games at the impressive new 3,000-seater arena from next month.

Newcastle Eagles Chief Paul Blake said: “Moving to Sport Central is an exciting new chapter in the history of the Eagles.

“We already enjoy a fantastic relationship with Northumbria University and this move simply strengthens that bond. As a club we are registered as Newcastle Eagles/Team Northumbria, and that has been the situation for the last two or three years.

“We are already joined at the hip so this makes perfect sense.

“Our community development programme runs alongside Northumbria’s and our coaches work with the university’s coaches.

“Northumbria University and Sport Central will now be a focal point for everything that we do.”

Team Northumbria’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Colin Stromsoy said: “Sport Central was always conceived as a venue offering opportunities to all the North East sporting community,”

“As well as offering Northumbria’s students the chance to play sport at a high level on their own doorstep, it is also the perfect venue for a club of Newcastle Eagles’ stature.”

The announcement comes just three days after Sport Central hosted its first official competition as the Great Britain basketball team took on Macedonia in the European qualifiers.

Ian Elvin, Director of University Sport, said: “This international event profiled the wonderful new Sport Central facility and underlines our commitment to new levels of excellence.

“The game was excellently managed, bringing together colleagues from across the University and over 30 volunteers, who worked tirelessly to make the day such a phenomenal success.

“Sport Central will provide a focal point for everyone who studies or works at Northumbria University. We are proud and delighted to have seen an amazing development and an exciting first project come to pass. Congratulations and thanks to those who contributed, you were all marvellous.”

The Eagles will play their first game at Sport Central on September 24 against Sheffield Sharks in the BBL Trophy, and open their defence of their BBL title against the Scottish Rocks on October 15.