BiG Storage Cheshire Jets are delighted to be able to confirm the appointment of Paul Smith as Chief Coach for the 2008/9 season. He will carry out his coaching duties in addition to those of Director of Basketball, a position he has held since the new structure of the club was established during summer 2007. Paul has served the club for a number of years, firstly as a player [including the famous Jetwash season] and latterly as both Chief Coach [leading the Jets to the BBL Trophy in 2204 and to the BBL league Championship in season 2004/5. He has also acted as assistant coach to Robbie Peers Mike Burton and Billy Singleton, who described him as “a master basketball strategist”. He took over the coaching reins in January of this Year when the Jets and TJ Walker parted company and managed to build a great team spirit in a squad decimated by a series of serious injuries.

Paul commented “I am very much enjoying being back in the driving seat and I really relish the challenge ahead. Experience tells me that Trophies are won or lost in the summer recruitment campaign and we’re already in the midst of constructing a plan for next season. We are working hard to retain some of last year’s players, talking very seriously to some previous Jets’ favourites and also aim to introduce some new players to the team.   I can report, on all fronts that matters are progressing very well and I am hopeful of being able to make a few significant announcements in the not too distant future.   As a result of ha ving a significantly higher budget than least year we should be able to put a very competitive squad on the court with a mixture of youth and experience. In addition we will be building the coaching team up to ensure we are able to create the right environment for the players to succeed.

Director Peter Hawkins observed, “ I have no doubt that Paul is the best coach in the BBL, and am absolutely certain that given the right support he will be able to build and lead the team successfully.   We always expected that our fist season would be more about setting a solid foundation for the club for the future and we consider that that has been done. The extensive community programme that we have put in place that will reach over 12,000 young people in Cheshire and North Wales during next year is in the process of being finalized   and will be a major driver in raising the profile of The Jets and ensuring that the club continues to contribute successfully to the local community.

Andrew Donaldson, Director of the clubs name sponsors BiG Storage,   added, “The 4 year partnership with BiG Storage has hopefully given the club some much needed stability and a chance to plan for the long term. Like Peter, I am sure we have the right man in Paul Smith to lead the team to success and I am confidently anticipating greater success on the court in 2008/9 after a first year of building in 07/08.

News of any new signings and other important announcements relating to the club will be circulated as soon as they become available.