About us
Welcome to Sussex Raptors Basketball Club, a vibrant and inclusive amateur basketball club located in the heart of Sussex. We are not just a sports club, but a community that promotes the participation of women and seniors in basketball, a demographic often overlooked by other clubs. Our local area focus allows us to create a strong sense of community and camaraderie among our members.
Our club extends beyond just playing basketball. We offer training, competitive basketball (both league and national tournaments and coaching services, social engagements and merchandise sales. Our training and coaching services are designed to cater to all skill levels, providing a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone to improve and enjoy the game. Our merchandise sales not only provide our members with quality sports gear but also help to promote our club and its values.
We emphasise inclusivity and diversity, appealing to a broad range of individuals who may not typically be targeted by sports clubs. Our public relations strategy involves active engagement with our community, including local events and partnerships with other organisations that share our values. This approach not only helps us to attract a diverse membership but also strengthens our ties with the local community.
What truly makes Sussex Raptors Basketball Club stand out is our team. Composed of passionate amateurs, our team brings a unique level of enthusiasm and dedication to the sport. We are committed to fostering a sense of community among our members, creating a unique, welcoming atmosphere that sets us apart from other clubs.
Our business strategy is designed to distinguish us from existing clubs in the market. Our focus on promoting the participation of women and senior men in basketball sets us apart from other clubs that may primarily focus on younger, male players. We offer a more inclusive and welcoming environment for women and senior men, which can be a unique selling point. We also aim to host special events or tournaments specifically for women and senior men, providing them with more opportunities to play and compete. Join us at Sussex Raptors Basketball Club, where everyone gets a chance to play!
Meet our amazing team.
Combining an incredible knowledge and a passion for the game with an impressive track record in business, our Committee is dedicated to promoting participation for all…
Nick Hamilton
Chairperson
Nick spent three seasons playing professionally for the Worthing Bears Basketball Club, winning League and Championship honours.
In the early 1990’s he started his own team competing in the Sussex League, winning League and Cup honours.
He has been actively involved in coaching junior girls, women and men for the past 10 years.
Away from basketball, Nick works as a Programme Manager for the Dogs Trust charity.
Chris Lowrey
Deputy Chairperson
Chris spent four years as team manager for the Worthing Bears supporting the team across numerous League, Cup, and Championship finals including the infamous Wembley “Three-peat”.
A keen player in his earlier years, he was actively involved in the local basketball scene as both a player and chairman of Worthing A-OK basketball club which won the Sussex League division two.
Professionally, Chris is a civil servant working in the field of video forensics for the Ministry of Defence, a role he has performed for 23 years.
Tracey Wadey
Club Welfare Officer
Tracey has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, in a variety of settings including Community Services.
Her roles have included District Nurse, Community Health Manager and Adult and Children Safeguarding Lead.
Tracey is currently Director of Nursing and Quality for an independent health care provider.
Paul Stimpson
Patron
Paul gained over 120 senior international appearances for England and Great Britain. He captained England and represented his country on 112 occasions and is one of the most significant players to have played for the England men’s national basketball team.
He was awarded his first senior international cap aged 19 and registered 1041 points for England (and another 22 for GB), whilst securing 15 domestic titles at home.
Jemma Seaton
Coach
Having played at school, Jemma got back involved with basketball when her 5 year old daughter started playing for a local Lancing team. She went from watching to coaching, which ignited her passion again, and she joined Brighton Phoenix a women’s local league team. At the time this was the closet team to Worthing.
As well as coaching in the junior program, Jemma started an evening session for women’s and teenagers, which lead to Worthing’s first women’s team.
John Tucknott
Coach
After a modest playing career in both local and national leagues as a junior and senior, John had a spell away from the game until his his son decided he wanted to play. He then became involved with Shoreham Spartans and qualified as a coach.
For the last 12 years he has coached juniors mainly in both local and national league competitions for both Shoreham Spartans and Worthing Thunder, latterly with the U16 Girls team.
Paul Waite
Coach
He found himself over time getting more and more involved in coaching, which led him to qualify at Level 1 & 2, coaching for the U11s through to U16s at Shoreham Spartans.
