Sovereign supports rising team

NEWS RELEASE

Sovereign supports rising team

IT’S all change for basketball team Manzur this season with a new sponsor, a new name and a combined force of players going into division two of the Yorkshire Guernsey league.

Last year the side had an A team and a B team playing for divisions two and three but a strategic decision to combine top players meant the side sits neatly in division two.

Changes to league means the side will also have the opportunity to play against division one teams in a combined division knockout tournament so the team will be exposed to a highly competitive level of basketball.

This coincides with a new sponsorship deal with Sovereign Trust, which has agreed to support the side.

Now named Sovereign Trust, the basketball team includes two Most Valuable Players (MVPs) from last season. Coach Matthew Sarl was voted as the best player in division two and in division three it was Liam Doherty, who also finished highest on the scoreboard.

Mr Doherty, trainee compliance officer at Sovereign Trust, said it was a huge opportunity to pit themselves against more experienced players.

‘A lot of the players in division one frequently travel off island to play national games so the standard is just much higher. Getting to compete at that level is really exciting for us and will no doubt improve our basketball. I have high hopes. I’m obviously biased but by pooling our talent I think we could do really well this season,’ he added.

Managing director of Sovereign Trust, Rob Shipman, said: ‘Liam approached me earlier this year about getting involved with the team. We’re always keen to support staff and the community in general so were happy to assist. I look forward to seeing how they progress in this division and wish them good luck,’ he added.