The town lives and breathes Newcastle United, but the Toon is also home to another elite sports club. A club that has a storied history as the most successful in Britain. A club whose fanbase is on the up. Like their football counterparts, they are a club with lofty European aspirations. Meet the Newcastle Eagles.
Nestled in a cosy arena along the iconic Scotswood Road of Blaydon Races fame, The Eagles have made their nest in Newcastle since 1995, when they arrived from Sunderland to become the Newcastle Comets, before debuting as the Eagles the following year. Right from the start, winning and success was on the agenda. The club captured a flurry of domestic titles throughout the late 1990s and the 2000s, quickly establishing themselves as the country’s most decorated professional Basketball outfit.
They reached new heights under the stewardship of the highly influential player/coach Fabulous Flournoy, and in 2005-2006 completed a clean sweep of titles, capturing the British Basketball League Cup, BBL Trophy and the Championship double. Overall, the Eagles have won seven BBL Championships, won the playoffs a further seven times, the Trophy eight times and the Cup six times.
These days, they may not be as dominant on home hardwood, but the Eagles have set their sights on continental success. Last season they reached the final of the European North Basketball League (ENBL) and are competing on that front again this campaign. They began this season’s Super League Basketball championship by winning their first two games, the first away in Glasgow against the Caledonia Gladiators and the second a home blowout of the Cheshire Phoenix. A loss, on the road against the Sheffield Sharks, followed last Sunday.
Under the leadership of the exceptional head coach Marc Steutel, who has spent time in GB Basketball’s national team setup, The Eagles have welcomed exciting new recruits from all over the world, including the United States and Australia. Their de-facto captain, stalwart Center Darius Defoe, has been at the club since 2005 and has earned the nickname “Mr 28”. Defoe has been a member of every one of the Eagles’ 28 national titles, and his leadership is truly synonymous with the club’s successful history.
The Eagles almost always play their domestic fixtures on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, with all Super League Basketball games being shown live and free on DAZN.
If you want to cheer them on in person and sample a unique atmosphere, head to the Vertu Motors Arena on Scotswood Road. The next home fixture is Friday 10th October, as they welcome the London Lions to Tyneside.
So if you’re seeking something more in Newcastle’s diverse sporting landscape, come along for the ride and watch the Newcastle Eagles strive for more history as they aim to restore their domestic dominance and conquer new heights in Europe.
The future is bright, and the Eagles are ready to soar again.