Kent’s premier basketball club are to relocate to Medway’s new £11m centre of sporting excellence and become Medway Park Crusaders.

The Kent Crusaders, who are currently based in Canterbury, will set up their training base in the new purpose-built hall at the heart of the redevelopment of the Black Lion leisure centre in Gillingham.

The club are eager to play a leading role in the development of sport in Medway and were attracted to Medway Park by its central location and the calibre of facilities being created.

Chairman Jesse Sazant said: “The opportunity to move to Medway Park is a dream for the club. Access to a top class facility where the entire club can train and play has been a priority for the directors and Medway Park ticks all the boxes for us.

“The combination of the facility and the support of the Medway 2012 team and Medway Council will allow us to pursue our goals of being one of the top clubs in the country for elite basketball.”

Since its foundation almost 20 years ago, the Crusaders have established themselves as the leading club in the county at junior and senior level.

Its senior men’s national league side, launched in 2004, is the highest ranked national league club in the county.

The club also runs elite national league development squads at junior level and has produced a number of players who have gone on to represent Great Britain and play professionally. Jesse Sazant is also a former coach of the England U16 squad.

The club run a sixth form academy at Canterbury High School and are developing academies for 11-16 year-olds. They have number of community coaches working in schools to develop basketball and are also approved to deliver Hoops 4 Health, a primary school initiative linking basketball and healthy lifestyles.

Their role at Medway Park will include delivering community sessions to encourage people of all ages to play basketball and help to identify and develop talented young players.

Todd Stuart, National Leagues Officer at England Basketball: “Since their entry into the National Leagues, the Crusaders have been amongst the top clubs in the country as far as administration, efficiency and success is concerned.

“From their success in National League to their achievement of the Sport England-England Basketball Clubmark award, this club sets a wonderful standard to follow.

“Their move to this first class facility is fully deserved and we wish them the best of luck as the Medway Park Crusaders.”

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for community services, added: “We are thrilled to have such a successful and visionary club moving to Medway Park and we look forward to welcoming elite basketball to Medway.”

The Medway Park Crusaders will be the second club to relocate to the new-look Medway Park centre. Rainham Judo Club has already moved in to the completed judo centre and become Medway Park Judo Club.

The Crusaders’ Men’s Team will be relocating to Medway immediately with the juniors following in January.

Medway Park is an £11m project to transform the Black Lion leisure centre in Gillingham, being funded by Communities and Local Government, the University of Kent, Sport England and Medway Council.