Returning for another season is local Sussex boy Nick Ballone, after attending Solent university he moved back home to Brighton and joined Thunder
Nick commented: I’m excited to be back for my 3rd season. After my first ended with COVID and second we got to the semi finals, I’m ready to put in the work and contribute towards some silverware! Can’t wait to have the fans back behind us!”
Zaire commented: We love having Nick here. He’s a lights out shooter who is improving year on year. He also brings that Brighton style along with him.”
Joining the team we are pleased to announce the signing of local player 6”8’ Forward Dan Beard
Dan who comes from Eastbourne attended Canterbury Academy playing for Kent Crusaders before attending Barstow Community college, after graduating from college he went to Italy to play for Basilicata he is now back home and looking forward to a season playing in Worthing
Dan commented “I’m very excited to be playing with Worthing having grown up not too far away & to be given such a great opportunity to be playing basketball again having not played since being in Italy. I’m looking forward to contributing in any way I can to be successful this season and to be a guy that the team can rely on to leave it all out on the floor.”
Zaire commented “Due to unforeseen circumstances Dan had to leave and that hurt us at the beginning of last season. Dan has great hops, is very strong and finishes around the basket well. It’s great to have him back (although he feels like a new signing)”
Also returning back to Thunder is Josh Goddard, Josh who played for Solents juniors teams and will join us for his 5th seasons. has been a dedicated team player and great ambassador for the club ever since
This season alongside playing he will also be the assistant coach for the men’s team and will also assist with the running of junior programme
Josh commented: “I’m delighted to be returning to Worthing for my 5th season and getting back in front of the best fan base any player could wish for!
I feel that we have some unfinished business from the last couple of seasons and with the team we’ve been able to assemble this year I believe we’ll be able to get back to our winning ways.
I’m looking forward to being a part of Zaire’s “Last Dance” and hope we can get some silverware to finish his career the way it should.”
Zaire commented: “I’m excited to be have Josh back. He is someone that I know has mine and the clubs back on and off the court,the connection we have in these few short years he’s become like a little brother, that sometimes has to tell the big brother what to do.
The role he plays while on the bench is instrumental, he is one of the leaders on the team and his insight and experience are valuable both on the court and on the sidelines. and he’s willing to step on the court and give whatever’s needed at anytime,
He’s a consummate professional with a great attitude; so this was an easy one for me!”
📷 Kyle Hemsley
And welcoming back guard Jack Sunderland
Returning to the team last season after a few seasons away playing cricket in Australia and playing for Sussex Bears
Averaging 5.6 points per game last season it was Jacks defensive and game hustle that really made a difference to the team
Jack commented:
“Yeah I just wanted to say that I’m really excited about resigning for Thunder.
Mainly I just want to say how much I appreciate everything that the club has done for me over the years, but never more so than last season. To get a whole season played in the situation the country was in was nothing short of amazing, and means a lot to everyone involved.
I feel that with the pandemic and being my first season back after a few years out, last year was reasonably successful, but definitely think we can improve on it as a team, and am looking forward to it seeing what we can achieve as a team and a club.
Everyone will agree across the league that the massive thing lacking from last season was the crowds and crowd interactions, so to get back in the thunder dome with a packed out crowd is definitely something we are all looking forward to!
Feed the snake… 🐍
Moonie out x
Zaire commented: “Jack is a player who is so important to the culture of our team. His passion and energy is contagious and that’s is so important for this teams Identity moving forward. Jack’s also a great teammate and that’s something that’s quite a bonus for us.”