Caledonia Gladiators (women) explained

Caledonia Gladiators
League:WBBL
Folded:-->
History:Caledonia Pride
2016-2022
Caledonia Gladiators
2022-present
Arena:Playsport Arena
Location:East Kilbride, Scotland
Colours:-->
Coach:Miguel Ángel Ortega Marco
Ownership:Steve and Alison Timoney
Website:Official website

The Caledonia Gladiators are a professional women's basketball team based in East Kilbride, Scotland. Formerly known as Caledonia Pride, they are the first and currently only women's professional basketball team in Scotland, competing in the Women's British Basketball League (WBBL).

History

Caledonia Pride (2016-2022)
In May 2016, the Women's British Basketball League awarded a franchise to basketballscotland, seeking to establish a franchise to help better prepare the Scottish national team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.[1] [2] In August 2016, the name Caledonia Pride was chosen and the team's coach was announced to be Edinburgh University women's head coach Bart Sengers, who would coach Pride for the next six seasons.[3] [4] After a 6 year run as Caledonia Pride and a disappointing 31 wins from 104 league games it was time for Scotland’s only professional female basketball team to look at a new way forward in respect of playing personnel and proper funding.

Caledonia Gladiators (2022-present)
In June 2022, basketballscotland announced the transfer of the professional franchise to the Lady Rocks basketball club.[5] [6] The new team was named Caledonia Gladiators, referencing the original name of the Lady Rocks club formed in 2006, with plans for their own custom-built facility in Lanarkshire. [7] [8] The 2022-23 season saw the newly formed club finish 2nd in the WBBL, a highest ever finish for any Scottish team. The 2023-24 season saw the Gladiators enter the FIBA EuroCup Women in a first ever foray into European competition. This was a successful run to the knockout stages of the competition.

Home Venue

A purpose built 6000 seater arena is currently under construction in East Kilbride. Due for completion in 2024 this will be the home venue for the Caledonia Gladiators franchise. Home games have also been played at the Grangemouth Sports Complex, Falkirk; Emirates Arena, Glasgow and The Peak, Stirling.

Season-by-season records

SeasonDivisionTierRegular SeasonPost-SeasonWBBL TrophyWBBL CupHead Coach
FinishPlayedWinsLossesPointsWin %
Caledonia Pride
2016-17WBBL19th18513100.278Did not qualifyPool Stage1st round Bart Sengers
2017-18WBBL17th20713140.350Quarter-finalsPool StageRunners UpBart Sengers
2018-19WBBL111th2241880.182Did not qualifyPool StageQuarter-finalsBart Sengers
2019-20WBBL1Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemicPool Stage1st roundBart Sengers
2020-21WBBL111th2031760.150Did not qualify1st roundDid not competeBart Sengers
2021-22WBBL16th241212240.500Semi-finals1st roundGroup StageBart Sengers
Caledonia Gladiators
2022-23WBBL12nd22175340.773Semi-finalsQuarter-finalsQuarter-finalsMiguel Ángel Ortega Marco
2023-24WBBL12nd20164320.800Semi-finalsQuarter-finalsChantelle Handy

Players

Current roster

Honours

WBBL Cup

Notes and References

  1. News: Basketball: Capital side added to league . Mark . Woods . . 13 May 2016 . 5 November 2016.
  2. News: Basketball: Wood full of pride as she fulfils her dream calling . Susan . Egelstaff . The National . 16 September 2016 . 5 November 2016.
  3. News: Scotland's new women's basketball team named Caledonia Pride . Sandy . Sutherland . . 2 August 2016 . 5 November 2016.
  4. News: Bart Sengers sets out holy trinity for basketball . Sandy . Sutherland . Edinburgh Evening News . 2 June 2016 . 5 November 2016.
  5. News: A statement on the future of Caledonia Pride. 13 June 2022 . 13 July 2022.
  6. News: PRIDE TO MOVE WEST, BECOME ROCKS. Mark . Woods . MVP247.com . 13 June 2022 . 13 July 2022.
  7. News: Women's basketball takes a leap in Scotland with new pro team. Vidushi . Tiwari . STV . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022.
  8. News: Creation of new pro basketball team plus major investment will promote Scotland as a serious player in the UK basketball arena. WBBL . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022.
  9. https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/67024917.amp Caledonia Gladiators win on British Basketball League debut in new East Kilbride home