York Vikings Basketball Club
About York Vikings Basketball Club
Established in 1999, York Vikings has been providing opportunities for seniors in the York area to stay active and socialize through playing basketball. We’re a community-driven basketball club that believes that everyone should have an opportunity to get involved in physical activity no matter their age. Our club is run by a group of passionate volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring that every member feels valued and included. We have 2 teams that play in the Leeds Basketball League, providing members with the opportunity to play competitively if they wish.
Seniors Trophy Cupboard
Leeds Basketball League
Men's Division 1 Champion
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2023
2017
Juniors Trophy Cupboard
England National U13 Yorkshire Regional Division Champion
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2008
2023 - present: Revived York Vikings
2023 - 2024 Season
The new Vikings
In their first season back as York Vikings, the club experienced a surge in membership, boasting the highest numbers in 8 years, with 24 total members. The club also add to its committee with Tom Marks (Welfare Officer) and Sam Taylor (Social Media Officer) joining. The Vikings participated in the Leeds League with a team in the Premiership (finishing 5th) and Division 2 (finishing 8th).
June 2023
The Vikings Return
Following six years of being part of the York Eagles set up, the York Eagles Junior Club and its Senior Members mutually agreed to separate on amicable terms. As a result, the Seniors Committee, decided to revive the York Vikings name.
2017 - 2023: The York Eagles Years
2022 - 2023
Division 1 Champion
The senior men's team secured their first trophy, under Head Coach Darren Taylor, since 2017, by winning a 3-way tiebreaker on point difference. As Division 1 league champions, Eagles earned the promotion back to the Premiership.
2021 - 2022
Women's Team (attempt 2)
A women's team was re-established to play in the Leeds League. The ladies team had a 3 - 9 record, coming in 4th (out of 5 teams). Unfortunately, due to inconsistent numbers, the team was only able to last for one year.
2018 - 2022
Seniors numbers growing
The senior basketball team changed its name for the 2018-2019 season to York Eagles and continued to play in the Premier Division of the Leeds Basketball League. Despite losing their coach and some players early on, the team was able to bounce back with the help of former Vikings coach Darren Taylor and players from the Eagles U18 team.
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In 2019, due to an influx of senior players, a second basketball team was added to compete in the Leeds Basketball League Division 1. Both teams played competitively in the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 seasons, finishing around mid-table in their respective leagues. Unfortunately, the 2020-2021 season was cancelled due to Covid.
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In the Summer of 2022, due to more teams joining, the Leeds League decided to increase the number of divisions. As a result, the Eagles teams ended up in Division 1 and Division 2.
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Throughout these years an autonomous seniors committee was created within the wider York Eagles club. Darren Taylor was initially joined by Stefan Marz and subsequently by Anthony Holdsworth, Tom Higham (until 2021), Vali Moldovan and David Avery (from 2021).
2017 - 2018
The National League Year
For the first time in its history, the seniors program entered a team in the National League Division 4, whilst also fielding a team in the Leeds Basketball League Premier Division. The National League team finished 9th in the North Division (12 teams) with a 7-14 record. Due to the financial cost and departure of key members after the season, a men's team was not re-entered at the national league level.
August 2017
The merger
Under the leadership of York Vikings Chair Brian Prince and York Eagles Chair Rich Weeks and Club Secretary Dave Smith, the two clubs decided to merge their programs, to take advantage of the synergies and establish a National league side.
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The junior program would play the York Eagles name, while the senior sides would continue playing as York Vikings.
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York Eagles and York Vikings merge in bid to form National League side | York Press
1999 - 2017: The First York Vikings
2016 - 2017
Division 1 Champion
After a slow start to the season the York Vikings men's team managed to win the Leeds Basketball League Division 1 and secure promotion to the Premiership. The women's team also had a successful season, reaching the cup final.
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Team App | News | York Vikings Basketball Club | News | Review of Last Season
2010
Women's & Wheelchair team added
With the successful launch of the men's team the previous year, Jayne Pitcher, the Club Secretary announced a new women's team, with the aim to participate in the Leeds Basketball League for the 2010-2011 season.
York Vikings launch senior ladies team | York Press
Furthermore, with the help of Active York, York St John University, North Yorkshire Sport and Simon Kumar, City of York Council disability sport and physical activity officer, a Wheelchair team was set up.
2009
A men's team is established
With local team Fulford Falcons folding, Richard Adams, a Falcons player and the U16 Vikings coach and the support of the Vikings committee, set up the first men's team. In their first ever season, Vikings came in 3rd in the Leeds Basketball League.
2008
First Trophy
The U13 boys team won the England National U13 Yorkshire Division and with that became the first team to win a trophy for the Vikings club.
1999
A new club is founded
York Vikings Basketball Club was founded.