STINGER 21/02/15 by Caitlin McEvoy

HULL WASPS VS TEES VALLEY MOHAWKS ANDREW MARVELL COLLEGE

CONTENTS

ull Wasps are the region’s premier basketball club competing in Basketball England ‘s National League competition. Since 2008, the Hull Wasps have been providing thrilling entertaining basketball to people of all ages across Hull and East Yorkshire. Now based at the £27 million state-of-the-art Andrew Marvell College, we continue to compete in National League aiming to reach the summit of UK Basketball, the British Basketball League (BBL). • •

2013-14 National League Division 4 North Runners-Up 2013-14 Humber Premier League Champions

06 GAME REPORT 12 BUILDING ON SUCCESS 16 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

HULL WASPS VS TEES VALLEY MOHAWKS 3

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GAME REPORT

WASPS

FALL TO

NOT

TING HAM ROBIN HOOD’S MERRY MEN TAKE THE WIN

6 HULL WASPS VS TEES VALLEY MOHAWKS

he Hull Wasps traveled to Nottingham on Saturday to face one of the league leaders in what was on paper going to be a thrilling showdown. The last time these two teams met the Wasps shocked the league by beating a team who at the time undefeated Hoods to grab the win. This time however Nottingham had prepared well and came to play. The game was being played at one of the best basketball facilities in the UK and like the Wasps, Nottingham had a big crowd behind them and started the game in emphatic fashion. The first quarter was all Hoods as they hurt the Wasps

THE SECOND QUARTER WAS CERTAINLY BETTER The second quarter was certainly better from the Wasps as they traded baskets with the Nottingham team but couldn’t ever really get going enough to reduce the margin. MacArt was able to hit a couple of shots which helped open up the inside for Jarret Akpoveta to make an impact. The size of the Hoods however was beginning to really show and they finished the quarter by securing an offensive rebound and scoring on the buzzer. The Wasps won the second

THIS TIME HOWEVER NOTTINGHAM HAD PREPARED WELL with slick ball movement and sharp three point shooting. After the first five minutes Nottingham held a 20 point advantage over the visitors. The Wasps tried to make a dent in the Nottingham defense but it was to no avail as they had game planned extremely well. At the end of the first quarter the Hoods had a comfortable lead 36 – 14.

8 HULL WASPS VS TEES VALLEY MOHAWKS

quarter by 2 but the score was still heavily in favor of the home side 62 – 42. Entering the third quarter the hope was that the Wasps were able to build on the final few minutes of

the first half but Nottingham again came out the more aggressive team and again managed to hurt the Wasps from the outside scoring a quick 9 points from beyond the three point line. They controlled the ball well and just piled on the points. After the third quarter they still held the lead. The last quarter was all about pride

for the visitors as the game was far beyond the Wasps reach. The Wasps did hand a debut to Sean Johnstone for the Season as well as providing minutes for team veteran Stuart McAra which was a bonus for the club. The game finished with the Wasps losing 11273 for their heaviest defeat of the season. Matt MacArt was the Wasps top

MATT MACART WAS THE WASPS TOP SCORER ON 26 POINTS scorer on 26 points with Jarret Akpoveta scoring 15 and Sean Knight and Matthew Fawcett scoring 10 & 9 respectively. Matthew Fawcett from the Wasps commented after the loss. “To lose in the way we did today hurts but I like to stay positive and I can pick a couple up. Certainly we had a great second quarter and we only had 8 guys today so I know when we get

back to practice this week and try and move forward we will all put our best foot forward. Credit to Nottingham they showed their class today and we wish them well moving forward. Our focus is on Tees Valley in a game that could help us in our relegation fight. We won’t take them lightly at all as they just secured a big win so we will be ready to fight for Hull.”

TONIGHT’S GAME COULD HELP US IN OUR RELEGATION FIGHT MATTHEW FAWCETT

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FEATURE

BUILDING ON

SUC

CESS THE HULL WASPS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

ith eight years of history behind us, the Hull Wasps are built on the strong foundation of the past. With Chairman David Bushnell stepping down, and newly appointed Chairman Mark Mitchell now at the helm, the Wasps are stepping towards the future. The so called “Off-Court” team is comprised of individuals who voluntarily give up their time to work together and take the Wasps experience to the next level.

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In the last few weeks there have been a number of notable changes to the collective – designers Caitlin McEvoy and Daniel Mitchell have been drafted in to shape up all things design and are working towards a new look for the Wasps. Both designers aren’t new to the world of design with Caitlin being the owner of District23, an apparel and print store – which uses themes of American culture to create bespoke designs. Her latest piece is developed especially for Wasps fans: the new Sting City tee. The past year has been nothing but success for District23

THE ATMOSPHERE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE DAY HAS STARTED TO DEVELOP end projects for clients with experience and skills in several areas of the creative industry; ranging from graphic design, film making to urban master planning. With the design handled marketing and PR managers Amy Finnegan-Dehn, and Rebecca Carter are currently working hard on the way match days at, the relatively new venue, Andrew Marvell College are set out. Marketing manager Amy commented on the changes that:

DEVELOPED ESPECIALLY FOR WASPS FANS: THE NEW STING CITY TEE having been featured in FHM magazine on multiple occassions, and blogs around the world being named both t-shirt of the day and t-shirt of the week in Europe. Now partnering up with the Wasps, Caitlin and District23 are set to have another eventful year forthcoming. Beyond the Hull Wasps Daniel Mitchell is a professional architect and interior designer. Daniel works across the country delivering high

“This season we are driving to take the match day experience at Marvell to the next level. We are all so invested in getting this right and really working to build an experience that everyone enjoys. We have started to grow and develop the brand – and through doing so we are starting to change the way that match days run. The atmosphere and the experience of the day has started to develop and the fans are really

getting behind the boys every game. We want to make it so that Wasp games are a statement in the weekend of the fans – that they look forward to the games – and enjoy the experience that they are getting.” Moving to a new venue can be a challenge for any club, with a change in location making it harder for some fans to attend – but this season has demonstrated the commitment of a number of the Wasps fans. With a run of three home games and the final instalment at the ‘Wasps Nest’ this weekend, the Wasps are looking for their third win at home. Andrew Marvell has seen some great basketball in the past few weeks and this weekend is set to be the same. With the recent successful of the tuck shop, Wasps t-shirts and hot drinks, game days are changing at Marvell. It’s all about the experience and Rebecca comments that “We want to make this club great, not just for the players, but for the fans too. Without them we wouldn’t have a club, so we want them to love every second of every game.”

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

PHIL

AINSWORTH

REBECCA CARTER SITS DOWN WITH WASPS CENTRE AT TRAINING THIS WEEK

e managed to catch up with Phil Ainsworth ahead of this weeks home game against Mansfield Giants. Playing Centre, Phil is new to the team this season and has been a welcome change in pace at training. Here is his thoughts on how the season is shaping up, the players on the team and his favourite things about game days.

WE ASKED HOW HE WAS ENJOYING HIS STEP UP TO THE TEAM?

““Its been hard work, there’s a lot of fitness involved and technical work that’s pushed me but that being said it’s been really rewarding to be part of the team.

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HOW DO YOU THINK THE SEASON HAS GONE SO FAR?

“When we’ve stuck to what we’re good at we’ve been successful. We need to start doing that on a weekly basis now. We are starting to work better together as a team and that’s what it’s all about.”

DO YOU THINK ANYTHING NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED UPON?

“We need to make sure we are working more as a team. Ensuring we are consistent is key. We are getting there but still have a fair bit to work on.”

HOW DO YOU SEE THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON GOING?

A A

“If we play the way we have been I expect a good turn around and a great end to the season.”

WHO’S YOUR MOST IMPROVED ON THE TEAM?

“I’d have to say Matt MacArt, I didn’t get to see him play much last season so its been great to see what he brings to the team and learn from him.”

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON SO FAR?

““It has to be scoring my first national league basket.”

WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT GAME DAY?

“Winning obviously is a good, but I think the crowd and having a good support system is what really makes game day.”

WHO’S YOUR MVP SO FAR AND WHY?

“Jaz would have to be my MVP. He is a great captain, who isn’t afraid to correct me but also is extremely supportive and never afraid to teach me.”

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