It is with sadness that we today announce the end of an era for Surrey Scorchers, based at the Surrey Sports Park and a longstanding member of the British Basketball League.
The sudden decision, taken on 14th June, by the British Basketball Federation to terminate the operating license of the British Basketball League, created a significant amount of uncertainty for the club. This required decisions about the future to be made rapidly.
Economic headwinds across the UK higher education sector, played a part in the University of Surrey, owners of Surrey Sports Park, making proactive decisions in order to restore long term sustainability to their finances.
Being out of season with no confirmed league, commercial structure or income has made it impossible to support Scorchers in navigating this unexpected period of uncertainty.
We wish all clubs – old and new – and the basketball governing bodies all the very best with the launch of the new league, in time for the new season.
Our thoughts and thanks are with our team members, current and past players, volunteers and the many thousands of fans who have cheered on Surrey Scorchers over the years. Surrey Sports Park is proud to have been home to the Surrey Scorchers since 2015, and to have continued the long history of basketball in Guildford when we gave a new home – and new name – to Surrey Heat when they relocated to us from the Spectrum.
We wish everyone in the basketball family well for the future. We hope and believe the British Basketball Federation will be able to build a bright future for the sport.
While we are extremely sad that we are no longer able to operate an elite basketball team, Surrey Sports Park will continue to be a home for basketball at all levels in Guildford and Surrey. We look forward to continuing to welcome our students, our Sports Park members and other members of the wider community to play basketball with us.
Signing off,
Surrey Scorchers Team
For all media enquiries please contact:
media@surreyscorchers.co.uk