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Eagles? special guest gives basketball a boost

The Newcastle Eagles basketball team are celebrating this week after playing host to a very important guest at Sunday’s game.

Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was present at the game against the Everton Tigers, which the Eagles won 90-70.

Representatives from the British Basketball League, English Basketball, British Basketball and the NBA have recently joined forces to create a strategy to support the rise in popularity of basketball as the Olympic Games approach. Andy Burnham’s presence at the Eagles game helped confirm that basketball is climbing the ladder in terms of its recognition and popularity as it moves higher up the Government’s sporting agenda.

Andy Burnham said: “I really enjoyed the game - being an Evertonian I was slightly disappointed with the defeat but there was a fantastic turnout at the arena which made for a great atmosphere. I’m looking forward to working with all UK basketball partners to really help take the sport to the next level in the lead up to the Olympics in 2012.”

Paul Blake, Managing Director of the Newcastle Eagles, who are sponsored by Northern Rock, said: “The basketball world has been working hard to get the game acknowledged as being one of the country’s leading sports, which actually has the same participation numbers as cricket and rugby.

“It was a real honour to have Andy Burnham at the game to see the players in action - he’s someone who’s very influential in the world of sport and culture so his support is invaluable. It’s great that we can class him as a true basketball fan!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .