Caledonia Gladiators will this weekend aim to make history and become the first Scottish women’s basketball team to ever win a major trophy, as they contest the Super League Basketball Trophy final.
The East Kilbride club will face off against Oakland Wolves at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon, as they both compete for their first ever top-level honours in the British game.
It comes at an exciting time for the club and the women’s game, with Gladiators having moved to a new arena at PlaySport in 2023, and welcoming record crowds to their matches, underlining a growing interest in the sport in Scotland.
The final also marks a record number of Caledonia Gladiators fans that have travelled to a women’s away game, with support from Parks Motor Group, who have sponsored the club’s trip to Birmingham.
Over 9000 fans are expected to pack out the arena.
Having been on of the UK’s most decorated female basketball stars, Gladiators coach Chantelle Handy aims to steer her side to an historic cup win.
Gladiators qualified for the final with a 68-62 win over Sheffield Hatters at PlaySport in East Kilbride last month.
And Handy, who retired from playing to take up the coaching role at Gladiators earlier this year, said: “Everyone at the club is looking forward to Sunday’s game. It’s going to be an incredible occasion.
“My whole career has been focused around winning, and it’s the same with coaching. The dream is that we win on Sunday and take the trophy to Scotland for the first time.
“It would be a huge moment in the sport here if we were to win this competition.
“We’ve had record crowds here for a Scottish team since moving to our new arena, as well as becoming the first Scottish women’s team to compete in Europe in 50 years.
“Winning a trophy like this would be a big next step for the club.”
Club owner Steve Timoney said: “Sunday is going to be a really special day for everyone at the club and our aim is obviously to be the winners on the day.
“We’re really serious about the women’s game, and becoming the first Scottish women’s team to win such silverware would be a proud moment.”