THE region’s newest sports club is hoping to open a community basketball club that will provide coaching and educational support to youngsters in a North-East town.

Durham Wildcats made their professional basketball debut on Saturday, losing narrowly to Newcastle Eagles in the BBL Trophy.

But as well as making an impression on the court, the club is keen to make its mark off it.

The Wildcats are already committed to opening community clubs in Durham, Peterlee, Newton Aycliffe and Willington, but have identified Darlington as a key base from which to reach youngsters in the south of the county.

The Active Wildcats clubs will deliver a healthy lifestyle roadshow in schools and colleges, and provide coaching sessions and competitive matches for boys and girls of all ages.

The clubs will feed into the Wildcats’ junior teams, which play at a national level, and will also have educational links with Durham University.

Working with Darlington business Clive Owen and Co, Wildcats head coach Dave Elderkin is calling for schools, colleges and youth groups to get in touch if they are interested in being involved.

Mr Elderkin said: “As a club with its roots in Durham and Newton Aycliffe, most of our development so far has happened in that part of the county.

“But when we applied for a franchise with the BBL, we stipulated that we wanted Darlington to be a key part of what we do.

“Now we’re up and running, we want to become more involved in the town.

“If we open a community club in Darlington, we would hope to provide coaching and education to thousands of youngsters. Hopefully, some of those youngsters will then go on to play basketball professionally, perhaps via a degree course at Durham.”

Clive Owen and Co were guests at the Wildcats’ opening BBL game at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre last weekend, and are hoping to help the club develop business links in Darlington and the surrounding area.

Margaret Gill, a manager at the firm, said: “We got on board with the Wildcats at an early stage of their development because we’ve been really impressed by their commitment to providing educational and leisure opportunities in the local area.

“We’re hoping to use our links with local businesses to help them grow and develop, and reach as many local youngsters as they can.”

* Any schools, colleges or youth organisations interested in working with the Durham Wildcats should contact the club on 0191-384-4940 or email contact@durhamwildcats.org.uk