Sussex Bears

This article is about the current basketball club. For the original club, see Brighton Bears (1973-2006).

Brighton Bears
League	NBL D2 South
Established	2014;12 years ago (2014)
History	Sussex Bears (2014–2022) Brighton Bears (2022-present)
Arena	Sir Robert Woodard Academy
Capacity	700
Location	Lancing, West Sussex
Team colours
Website	Official website

The Brighton Bears are an English basketball club, based in the town of Lancing, West Sussex.

History

The Bears were formed in 2014. Former Worthing Thunder coach and local basketball legend Gary Smith was brought in to lead the club as chairman and first team coach, and with him he brought a number of former Thunder players to form the nucleus of the new team. ^[1]

The Bears' name is not a new one to basketball in the area - the Brighton Bears played in the top-flight BBL for many years until their final season in 2006. ^[2]

The 'new' club has since developed rapidly, increasing the number of men's, women's and youth teams representing under the Bears' name. The Bears have also risen through the divisions of the English Basketball League, reaching their current position in Division 2 in 2017. ^[3]

The Bears announced plans to build a new stadium at the Black Rock seafront area and return the Brighton Bears name to the top flight British Basketball League. ^[4]

Honours

Men's National Shield: 2016-17 ^[5]

Men's National Development League South: 2015-16

Season-by-season records

Season	Division	Tier	Regular Season						Post-Season	National Cup
			Finish	Played	Wins	Losses	Points	Win %
Sussex Bears
2014–15	D4 SE	5	3rd	20	15	5	30	0.750	1st round	Did not compete
2015–16	Dev Sou	5	1st	12	10	2	20	0.833	Semi-finals	1st round
2016–17	D3 Sou	4	2nd	18	13	5	26	0.722	Semi-finals	3rd round
2017–18	D2	3	10th	22	7	15	14	0.318	Did not qualify	2nd round
2018–19	D2	3	4th	20	11	9	22	0.550	Quarter-finals	Did not compete
2019–20	D2 Sou	3	9th	17	4	13	9	0.235	Did not qualify	4th round
2020-21	D2 Sou	3	Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22	D2 Sou	3	2nd	22	16	6	32	0.727	Quarter-finals	3rd round
Brighton Bears
2022–23	D2 Sou	3	2nd	22	16	6	32	0.727	Quarter-finals	4th round
2023–24	D2 Sou	3	11th	22	5	17	10	0.227	Did Not Qualify

See also

• Brighton Bears (1973-2006)

References

1. "Bears making big strides in little time". www.shorehamherald.co.uk.
2. "With video: Bears are back on court - but this time there's a new approach". The Argus.
3. "Smith setting sights on chasing down Thunder". www.worthingherald.co.uk.
4. Harry Bullmore (6 April 2021). "Plans to bring Brighton Bears back with Black Rock stadium". The Argus. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
5. "Sussex Bears Hold on For National Shield Title - Hoopsfix.com".