DURHAM Wildcats start their first season in the British Basketball League with a double header against local rivals Newcastle Eagles.

It is a dream start for the Wildcats, who have spent the last six years playing amateur basketball before taking up a place in the top-flight in the professional game.

Their first games come as part of the BBL Trophy, and take place at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on October 1, with the return fixture tipping off at Sport Central on October 7.

Wildcats have been paired with Eagles and Glasgow Rocks in the North 1 pool of the Trophy, while Wildcats host Plymouth in the first game of the BBL Cup at the end of October. If successful, Wildcats could meet Eagles in the semi-final stage.

Their league campaign starts on October 22 with Leicester Riders' first trip to Newton Aycliffe, and ends in April away to Glasgow.

The two league encounters with Eagles take place in Newcastle on January 6 and at Newton Aycliffe on March 10.

The regular Championship season draws to a close on April 22 with the top eight teams from the BBL Championship table qualifying for the end of season play-offs. Two legged quarter and semi-final rounds lead to a single-leg play-off final which will be held on Saturday, May 12 at NIA, Birmingham.