Neptunes ready to take their shot in Europe

The Northampton Neptunes U16 girls team will compete against some of Europe’s best junior basketball clubs, as they fly to Hungary this week for the start of the Middle European League. 

The league is split into two divisions (A and B) and two stages, the first runs from 21-24 November, with all teams playing four games.  

A second stage runs in February 2025 and the top three teams from both divisions advance to a final six.    

As the only representative from England, the Neptunes go in Division A and will face teams from the home country, Czechia, Germany, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden.  

“This is an amazing opportunity for our girls to compete, as well as gain life experience and exposure from meeting teams from other countries and spending time abroad,” said Neptunes Team Manager Tara Spatcher, who revived the club with her husband, ex-pro Mark, and a committed group of parents and volunteers, 15 years after it existed as a men’s outfit in Division 1 of the NBL.    

“We are also proud of the enormous fundraising efforts that have been done, and continue to be done, to facilitate this. It has enabled all of the girls on the team to go on the trip without financial contribution from parents and their families. This is totally in keeping with BE’s vision to be an 'inspirational sport that is accessible to everyone'.” 

Schedule

21 November 

22 November

23 November

  • 09:00 Northampton Neptunes (ENG) v Luxemburg NT (LUX) 
  • 16:30 Romania NT (ROU) v Northampton Neptunes (ENG) 

Relaunched in 2024, the club has two junior teams - U14 boys and U16 girls - and is planning to enter both in the Junior NBL next season.   

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