[08
SEP 00] COVENTRY CRUSADERS NEWS
Crusaders Ready For Season's Tip- Off
With
a unique father and son combination, and players still jetting in from
America, the Coventry Crusaders are set for an explosive start to
their season.
Outstanding
prospect Nicholas Pope will be lining up alongside his father Derrick
at the start of the new campaign.
It
is believed to be the first time that two generations have played
together in this country.
And
latest signing Todd Sands will be arriving in Britain hours before his
first game at the Coventry Sports Centre.
Eight
teams will be competing against each other in the new-look NBL
Conference.
And
Bupa Crusaders head coach Dip Donaldson said the team’s prospects
were looking good.
 He
said:
“The
team sprit is a lot better than last year, and that has reflected in
the way that we have trained and played in our pre-season games.
“This
year is the first time that we have signed two new foreign players
at once.
“We
have brought five players in. Last year we had seven, so it isn’t
too many, but this year they are all young.”
With
Donaldson himself leading the brigade of experienced players at the
age of 41, he thinks the correct blend is there for success.
He
said:
”We
are experienced but it’s a youthful side and explosive and
talented.”
The
first match will be against Inter Basket, from London, formerly
Islington, with the Westminster Warriors coming to the Sports Centre a
week later for a cup game.
Both
promise to be tough encounters.
Donaldson
said of Inter Basket:
“They
are a very athletic team, extremely quick. But I think it will be an
excellent opportunity to get off to a good start.”
Matches
are being played at the Coventry Sports Centre after a deal to use the
Coventry SkyDome fell through. A return to negotiations has not been
ruled out, but the Sports Centre has been booked for the whole season.
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