THE National Basketball League resumes for a new season this weekend, with the Bradford Dragons facing an away trip to Team Newcastle University in Division One tomorrow evening (6pm start).

But it has not been easy for Bradford to even get to this stage.

It has been quite a turbulent close season for the club, with uncertainty regarding their venue (still not 100 per cent confirmed), finances and, at one point, not knowing whether they would even be in a position to start the season.

The club will once again be running on a shoestring budget and the uncertainty has meant they are now playing catch up with other clubs in the division.

The Dragons have already played three games, in the traditional pre-season curtain raiser – the L Lynch Trophy group stages.

Just like last season, Bradford found themselves in a group with Derby Trailblazers, Team Newcastle University and Myerscough Basketball.

Game one, which took place in mid-September, saw an understrength Dragons side lose 94-50 to Derby, but they ran Newcastle far closer in game two.

Due to the lack of an available venue in West Yorkshire, the game was played in Derby.

The Dragons trailed throughout but fought back to push the game into overtime.

But they eventually succumbed to a narrow defeat, losing 91-89.

Bradford beat Myerscough 78-68 in their final game, but they were already out, with Derby and Newcastle through to the quarter-finals after both winning their first two games.

The Dragons’ first home league game of the season is against Worthing Thunder on Saturday, October 9.

The team are set to be back in the Dragons Den at Bradford College Sports Centre – having played all their home games in Nottingham last season for Covid-related reasons.

Their list of returning players is as follows: Dave Walsh, Billy Cousins, Andreas Lycoudis, Jabari Edwards, Matthew Armstrong, Jermayne Laing, Rihards Sulcs, Ricky Fetske and Clayfell Harris.

But there are three new additions to the Bradford side too.

Travis Edwards has come in, formerly of Myerscough Basketball Academy. He is no relation to his new team-mate Jabari Edwards.

Zach Gachette also joins the roster.

He is best known for his time at Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League, where he was a firm favourite with the fans, but he has been playing in Italy for the last three seasons.

Gachette also previously played for Essex Pirates and London Lions in the BBL.

Olufemi Bright enters the first team fold, having stepped up from the Dragons’ junior ranks.