Calderdale Explorers

Last updated

Calderdale Explorers
League NBL Division 3
Established1982
HistoryHalifax Hawks
1982-1983
Calderdale Explorers
1983-1992
Calderdale Explorers
2014present
Location Halifax, Yorkshire
Team coloursBlue and White
Team managerGlenn Hardaker
Head coachPeter Broderick
Website calderdaleexplorers.co.uk

The Calderdale Explorers are an English basketball club, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Contents

The Explorers compete in English Basketball League Division 3 North. A previous incarnation of the club was a founding member of the British Basketball League, reaching the playoff semi-finals during the league's inaugural season in 1987-1988.

History

The team was established as the Halifax Explorers in 1982, when they entered Division 2 of the National Basketball League. They changed their name to Calderdale after just one year, and in 1986 the club won promotion to Division 1, which was then the top tier of basketball in England.

In 1987, the Explorers joined 14 other teams from the National Basketball League (England) and Scottish National Basketball League to form the new British Basketball League. The Explorers were successful in the new top flight, finishing fifth in league competition and reaching the playoff semi-finals while also reaching the quarter-finals of the National Cup. [1] However, the club were forced to withdraw from the professional league after just one season, as they could not afford the court hire charge of just £14 at their North Bridge Leisure Centre venue. The club returned to competition in NBL Division 2 a year later in 1989, but ongoing financial issues meant the club soon folded in 1992, just a decade since they were founded.

The club was revived in 2014, initially as a junior club competing in local competitions. A senior National League team was added in March 2015, entering the National Development League for their first season before the league was rebranded as Division 4. A steady record for improvement culminated with winning the Division 4 (North) league title at the end of the 2017/2018 season, earning promotion to Division 3. The Explorers were coached in Division 3 by Peter Broderick, who played for the old club in the 1990s. [2]

Honours

NBL Division 4 League Champions

Season-by-season records

SeasonDivisionTierPos.PlayedWonLostPointsWin %PlayoffsNational Cup
Calderdale Explorers
1983-84NBL D224th24168320.6671st Round
1984-85NBL D223rd22175340.7731st Round
1985-86NBL D221st22184360.8182nd Round
1986-87NBL D117th241014200.417Quarter-finalsSemi-finals
1987-88BBL15th28208400.714Quarter-finalsQuarter-finals
1989-90NBL D2311th2031760.150
1990-91NBL D2310th22715140.3182nd Round
1991-92NBL D2311th22517100.227
Calderdale Explorers
2015-16Dev NW55th1688160.500Did Not QualifyDid Not Compete
2016-17D4 Nor55th18117220.611Did Not Qualify1st Round
2017-18D4 Nor51st21192380.905Quarter Finals3rd Round
2018-19 D3 Nor412th2222040.091Did Not QualifyDid Not Compete
2019-20 D3 Nor44th21156300.714No PlayoffsDid Not Compete

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References

  1. "BBL Competition History". BBL.org.uk.
  2. "NBL League History". Basketball England.