Sussex Bears

Sussex Bears
Sussex Bears
League	NBL D2 South
Established	2014; 8 years ago
History	Sussex Bears ; (2014–present)
Arena	Sir Robert Woodard Academy
Capacity	700
Location	Lancing, West Sussex
Team colours
Website	Official website

The Sussex Bears are an English basketball club, based in the town of Lancing, West Sussex.

History[]

The Bears were formed in 2014. Former Worthing Thunder coach and local basketball legend Gary Smith was brought in to lead the club as chairman and first team coach, and with him he brought a number of former Thunder players to form the nucleus of the new team. ^[1]

The Bears' name is not a new one to basketball in the area - the Brighton Bears played in the top-flight BBL for many years until their final season in 2006. ^[2]

The 'new' club has since developed rapidly, increasing the number of men's, women's and youth teams representing under the Bears' name. The Bears have also risen through the divisions of the English Basketball League, reaching their current position in Division 2 in 2017. ^[3]

Honours[]

Men's National Shield: 2016-17 ^[4]

Men's National Development League South: 2015-16

Teams[]

For the 2019-20 season, the Bears will field the following teams: ^[5]

Senior Men - National League Division 2 South

U18 Boys - National League U18 Premier South

U16 Boys - National League U16 Premier South

U14 Boys - National League U14 Premier South

U14 Girls - National League U14 Regional

U16 Boys II - National League U16 Conference South

U14 Boys II - National League U14 Conference South

U12 Mixed - National League U12 Regional

Senior Men II - Local League

Senior Women - Local League

U16 Boys III - Local League

U14 Boys III - Local League

U12 - Local League

U11 - Local League

Wheelchair - division 2 south National league

Wheelchair - division 3 south east National league

Wheelchair - division 4

Home Venue[]

The Bears are based at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Lancing.

Season-by-season records[]

Season	Division	Tier	Regular Season						Post-Season	National Cup
Season	Division	Tier	Finish	Played	Wins	Losses	Points	Win %	Post-Season	National Cup
Sussex Bears
2014–15	D4 SE	5	3rd	20	15	5	30	0.750	1st Round	Did Not Compete
2015–16	Dev Sou	5	1st	12	10	2	20	0.833	Semi Finals	1st Round
2016–17	D3 Sou	4	2nd	18	13	5	26	0.722	Semi Finals	3rd Round
2017–18	D2	3	10th	22	7	15	14	0.318	Did Not Qualify	2nd Round
2018–19	D2	3	4th	20	11	9	22	0.550	Quarter Finals	Did Not Compete
2019–20	D2 Sou	3	9th	17	4	13	9	0.235	Did Not Qualify	4th Round

^[6]

References[]

^ "Bears making big strides in little time". www.shorehamherald.co.uk.
^ "With video: Bears are back on court - but this time there's a new approach". The Argus.
^ "Smith setting sights on chasing down Thunder". www.worthingherald.co.uk.
^ "Sussex Bears Hold on For National Shield Title - Hoopsfix.com".
^ "Teams | Welcome :: Sussex Bears Basketball Club".
^ "Scores and Schedules. | Basketball England". www.basketballengland.co.uk.

[1] "Bears making big strides in little time". www.shorehamherald.co.uk.

[2] "With video: Bears are back on court - but this time there's a new approach". The Argus.

[3] "Smith setting sights on chasing down Thunder". www.worthingherald.co.uk.

[4] "Sussex Bears Hold on For National Shield Title - Hoopsfix.com".

[5] "Teams | Welcome :: Sussex Bears Basketball Club".

[6] "Scores and Schedules. | Basketball England". www.basketballengland.co.uk.

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