Manchester Giants boss Jeff Jones has urged supporters to be patient as the club build towards a bright and sustainable future.
The Giants have had a tough start to the BBL campaign with three consecutive defeats a home tie against high-flyers Newcastle Eagles on October 13 means things could get worse.
Jones was left frustrated by the defeat to division rivals the Cheshire Phoenix last weekend but told MM that his focus is to ensure the Giant’s five-year plan is implemented.
“People have to understand, and this is the thing people keep losing the sight of with us, is that we’re building a club,” Jones said after the Giants went down fighting in the 83-71 defeat against the Phoenix.
“We knew that we would have our backs against the wall this season but we have a five-year plan in place and we have to stick to it.
“I understand people will get disgruntled [by the results] but when almost every single BBL team in existence has probably gone broke at some point we just won’t do that here.
“We just want to continue to build a basketball club and maybe in five years time we will be proved right or we won’t be here.
“But I’m pretty sure we’ll be proved right it’s just about being patient.”
The Giants have endorsed a host of initiatives this year that the coach believes will allow the club to build the foundations for future success.
The side recently linked up with Manchester Metropolitan University to launch a scholarship programme that is set be introduced next year.
Disadvantaged youngsters, who may not have considered going on to higher education, will be selected from one of the Giants’ five Manchester-based basketball academies and given the opportunity to obtain a degree.
“We probably have access to close to 4000 kids a week and that is brand awareness and brand recognition that we need to build on to get to where want to be,” Jones added.
“My involvement in basketball over the last 15 years has been to push British player development and even when we’re ready to go we will still only select three foreign players, the rest will be British.
“All I’ve ever wanted to during my years here is develop British talent and I want to give players the opportunity to play basketball here in Manchester.
“Participation figures for basketball in Manchester have always been good it’s just about utilising that popularity to help the club grow.”
Jones will be looking for an immediate reaction from his squad when the Giants host the Eagles at the Wright Robinson College on October 13 at 5.30pm.
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Image courtesy of Jack Hinds, with thanks
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