BBL: Leeds Carnegie to join league from 2014/15

The British Basketball League has reached an agreement for Leeds Carnegie to join BBL competitions from the 2014/15 season.

The club, who are strongly linked to the Leeds Metropolitan University, have enjoyed a meteoric rise since their formation in 2006 which has seen them jump three divisions to their current home in England Basketball Division One.

Carnegie will get a taste of BBL Competition as early as January 2014 when they take on the Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy first round.

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

“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.”

“We are pleased to welcome Leeds Carnegie to the BBL,” said BBL Chief Operating Officer Andy Webb.

“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.”