Junior Saints History

Sheffield Saints was formerly Sheffield Junior Sharks. Sheffield Junior Sharks Basketball Club, was previously named Sheffield Junior Forgers, and was formed in 1995.

A major change to the Sharks took place in 2010 when the club moved its home court from Springs Leisure centre to the All Saints sports centre. At the same time it became part of the City of Sheffield Basketball Club which had links to Sheffield Hatters and Sheffield Saints. It therefore seemed a logical move to rename and align the club further at the AGM in 2011 which is when the Sharks became the Saints. David Ransom, Chairman of the junior programme made the following statement after the 2011 AGM: ‘The club’s decision to change names, to become the Sheffield Saints was taken after a great deal of internal debate and a strategic review of the way forward for the club. The move to our new venue, which we under took last summer, linked to greater involvement in the City of Sheffield Basketball Club as an umbrella body were all factors in the decision. We are confident that the change will be positive for the growth of boys basketball in Sheffield, providing a realistic development pathway for our players.’. The successful junior boys programme now has no affiliation with the BBL franchise as they aim to consolidate their pathways and gain more control over their future growth.

Since its inception the club has produced over 400 players who are either, still playing for Junior Saints or playing for other clubs and Universities throughout the country.

The club regularly increases its membership base by attracting players from all over the region including Rotherham, Wakefield, Hull, York, Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham, has local league and National league teams, goes on annual international trips, hosts regular international tournaments and has great communications and links with Schools, Universities and other clubs in the area. The club is deeply involved in all levels of Basketball and works from local to national

Our coaches are widely respected and recognised for producing skilful players who have the ability to adapt to other coaches and their coaching styles. The players have good attitudes, which gives them the essential temperament to cope with the pressures of fierce competition and are encouraged to get involved in off-court activities, becoming qualified as Table Officials and Referees. Some have even gone on to become coaches within the club themselves. This approach has produced over 150 players representing Yorkshire with 34 progressing to International standard at varying age groups levels. The Club has sent several talented players overseas to play in Spain and the U.S.A and currently has 3 players in the United States playing at the High School and College Level.

The club is regularly ranked in the top four on a national level, winning over 30 Division Titles, reaching a total of 37 RAF Final 4s on its way to 3 National Championships and 2 SureShot National Cups. In 2007 the club made history by qualifying for the national Final Fours at each of the five age groups; U13, U14, U15, U16 & U18.

In May 2008 the hard work of the club’s players, coaches and volunteers paid off when Sheffield Jnr Sharks were awarded the prestigious Sport England Clubmark Award and England Basketball 3 Star club status. England Basketball's Clubmark Assessor, Craig Costello, stated: "The continual success of the Sharks on the court gives the impression of a well structured and soundly run club. This was completely backed up and enhanced by their Clubmark application, which made it clear that the club is doing all the right things to create a welcoming and positive environment."

Matt Baird, England Basketball's Club Development Officer said: "Sheffield Junior Sharks are a club with an important tradition of performing to extremely high standards both on and off the court. The award of Clubmark highlights the achievements of the volunteers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the club what it is today."

It is pleasing to record that our programme continues to assist the process of turning out good citizens who are actively involved in useful, purposeful activity. Many of them have become coaches, referees and table officials continuing the process that they became involved in at a very tender age.