James Harris has become the new captain of the Medway Park Crusaders and will take on the job of leading them into their first season into EBL1.

Harris played in Crusaders first ever senior national league game and is now entering his eighth season with the club.  During that time he has established himself as a key player with huge internal drive.  He has consistently developed his game and found new ways to contribute.

Harris holds numerous club records including career points and 3 pointers, 3 pointers in a game and a season (where he has the 3 highest seasons).  His 4^th game of the 2011-12 season will also mean he has played more games for Crusaders than anyone else.

Head Coach James Vear praised Harris’ role with the team, “I think this is the right time for Harris to take on the captaincy.  He is the longest serving player on the team and has played a pivotal role in getting the team promoted.  He continues to work as hard as any player I have coached on and off the court.  Giving him the captaincy has also made him more vocal around the team especially to the new players that have joined which I think is a real positive for me and the team.”

Harris himself is excited about the new responsibility, “It’s a real honour to be named captain, especially now we’ve moved up to EBL1.  It’s been good to fly up the ranks, so to speak, and come into the team as one of the younger players to now being one of the more experienced. I’ve learnt a lot from James [Vear] and all the teammates around me (both past and present).  I now hope to pass some of it on to some of the younger players and see them progress.

It’s also great to know that James [Vear] has the faith in me, not only as a player, but also as an individual.  Now that the squad is coming together i think we have a great year ahead of us and to be honest can’t wait to get started!”

The Crusaders halve also finalised their men’s coaching staff for the upcoming season with Craig Nicol and Gareth Laws joining Vear.

Coach Nicol has recently been employed by the Crusaders in a role that will combine working with the men’s team, juniors and academy as well as coordinating the Crusaders community programme.  Nicol was previously coaching with Stirling Knights and the Scotland Under 15s.

Vear looks forward to working with him, “Craig is a very good young coach who is eager to learn and push up the coaching ladder.  He comes with a great background of coaching youth basketball in Scotland and I am really looking forward to working with him over the coming season.”

Nicol himself is excited about the move, “I’m really looking forward to getting involved with such a good club.  I’ve been really impressed with the set up and believe the club can have a successful first season in EBL1.”

“It is a long way to move from Scotland but it is a challenge I can’t wait to take on. Everybody back home has been very supportive of my move and I owe great thanks to them for helping my coaching development.”

In addition to playing for the men, Laws will also serve as an assistant coach.

Vear explained the reasons behind the coaching offer, “I decided I wanted to get Gareth involved in the coaching side this year along with him being an important player for us next season.  Gareth is one of the most experienced players in English basketball.  He has been great with the younger players in pre-season and I know the younger guys respect him and listen whenever he has anything to say.”

Laws is looking forward to taking the next step in his basketball pathway, “I’m looking forward to working with Coach Vear and Nicol this year.  Although my main focus will be playing, I have had a passion for coaching for just as long as I’ve been involved in the sport.  I’m relishing the chance to add my experiences and ideas to help the club succeed as well as developing my own skills as a coach too. Coach Vear is a high calibre coach with a great history and I’m honoured be part of his coaching staff.”

“One key area I will look to aid with is the development of our younger players. Being a member of the playing squad and coaching staff allows me to work with players during and outside of team sessions. By doing so I can work to develop skills as well as pass on different teachings and tip which my peers passed onto me and allowed me to develop as a player.”

Coach Vear was lucky enough to also welcome Team USA Under 17 national coach Don Showalter to Medway Park for a guest session.  Coach Showalter was in the UK to deliver a session at the Luol Deng basketball camp in Loughborough and take in the London International Basketball Invitational Tournament at the Olympic Park.

Vear expressed his appreciation for the support Showalter offered, “It was great to have Don to come and see what we do at Medway Park especially as he got to see the various age groups we coach.  I am lucky enough to have known him most of my life and he is someone who not is only a great coach but a great person.  Getting to spend the last two weeks with him at the Deng Camp and back in London was great as I got to learn so many new things”

Showalter came away from Medway Park impressed, “It was great to come down and see what is happening at Medway Park Crusaders.  It was nice to see the various age groups with so many youngsters enjoying the game and the great set up they have at the club.”