[12 NOV 10] CRUSADER NEWS

Crusaders hold conference evening

By Adam Manning, Crusaders Press Officer.

Head coach Roger Payne delivered an upbeat speech during the club’s sponsorship launch evening at Walsgrave last month, telling his players in front of an audience of potential club sponsors that he expects them to be competing in the top five at Christmas.

Coach Payne is trying to rediscover the culture of winning at a club that shipped 2,000 league points last year finishing with a minus 265 points difference – their worst ever in the league.

“Defence wins games, that’s the bottom line. I don’t want to be trading points” the Hillfields-born coach stated. “I’m not in the hall of fame for having lost, so I don’t do losing.”

To aid his attempts the Warwickshire Basketball hall-of-famer is hoping to have a squad of 15 to choose from to eradicate the threat of complacency - stressing that no-one’s place is guaranteed in the team.

Only two players have stayed from last year’s squad of nine: coach Payne’s younger brother Simon Payne & Coventry kid Kane Hudson – a sign of the coach making room to attract taller and better quality players to routinely capitalise on second ball rebounds. 

12 places have already been filled, with ‘former England player Pierre Henry-Fontaine singing prior to the 91-58 National Cup victory over Nottingham Hoods on Sunday. This will surely be a relief to everyone connected to the club, as at times last year the side didn’t have the strength-in-depth to match teams for a full 40 minutes.

 

The 43-year-old head coach’s track record will quieten any doubters, as he’s acclaimed nine titles with local side Premier Warriors in the Warwickshire Basketball League, as well as helping EBL Division Two side Edmonton Storm to fourth place with a +177 points difference last season.

New marketing manager Danny Badam was also on hand to introduce the club’s core coaching values for success: respect, belief, passion, pride.  He also called for the senior players to replicate their role model status during the club’s community work on and off the court, emphasising that ‘playing the game isn’t the only thing children learn’.

One player Badam singled out as a leading role model was the return of 30-year-old Rob Clarke, who claimed he has some unfinished business to attend to by aiming to win something with the club. BBL stints with rivals Leicester Riders and Worcester Wolves, as well as a spell in Europe, will make him the ideal candidate to support new point guard captain Michael Gale in taking the team forward on-court.

With last minute negotiations rumbling on up until the league season tips off, the full Crusaders squad is yet to be formally announced, but keep checking www.crusaders.co.uk to find out more about the latest signings.

 *Anyone interested in promoting their business through the club should call Roger Payne on 07554870194 or email him on coachpayne23@gmail.com .

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