Worthing Thunder in race to avoid being 'homeless'

Worthing Thunder face a race against time to find a home venue for the upcoming NBL Division 1 season.
Worthing Thunder are looking at options on where to play home gamesWorthing Thunder are looking at options on where to play home games
Worthing Thunder are looking at options on where to play home games

South Downs Leisure have turned Worthing Leisure Centre’s main sports hall into a temporary gym space for members to boost social distancing.

Thunder officials say the main hall is due to be converted back in December but they don’t have a definite date. Until then, the basketball club are without a permanent home.

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They have secured Durrington High School and Brighton Aldridge Community Academy to stage their first two games of campaign.

Thunder have been in contact with Sir Robert Woodard Academy, home of NBL division two side Sussex Bears, and have asked about fitting in games around Bears fixtures and other bookings.

A Worthing Thunder spokeswoman said: “The venue is used for another sporting event when Bears don’t use it, though we have asked if we could tip off after Bears games, even if it meant tipping off later at 8pm on a Saturday.

“The SRWA would be perfect for Thunder, as we could play alongside Bears on Saturday nights.

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“Another option is Lancing Manor – with it sitting empty we’ve been trying to make contact with the council about using the venue at weekends.”

Worthing Thunder have average attendances of 475 although numbers will be capped to allow social distancing. The club said: “Financially the club couldn’t play behind closed doors for a season.”

The NBL season is due to begin on October 24.