Marc Steutel will depart Teesside Lions for an opportunity he couldn’t turn down, following a magical season in which the club won the League and National Playoffs Final; beating off the challenge of 53 teams.

The Great Britain Head Coach took the ‘difficult’ decision to accept an offer to become the new Head Coach of BBL side Newcastle Eagles and will now look to rebuild the team following a season to forget for the Tyneside outfit that finished second bottom and failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

Marc has been instrumental in guiding the club’s success this season and while his involvement was initially a long-term project for both club and coach, the opportunity to ‘scratch the itch’ in terms of coaching in the BBL, especially with his hometown team was an opportunity too good to turn down and he moves on with the gratitude and blessing of Lions boss James Thomson who said:

“Clearly our loss is Newcastle’s gain. We brought Marc in with an exciting project and he leaves us prematurely but with our full blessing. Marc is in a class of his own in terms of coaching and game preparation. It is no coincidence that Great Britain are doing fantastically well under his direction, and I have no doubt he will provide an instant remedy for Newcastle Eagles.

“In terms of his time on Teesside, we will look back on this period with great fondness and thank him for his leap of faith with us. He took a risk taking on a division three team, but this has paid dividends for us as a club, and I hope for Marc as a coach and individual.

“While we will watch the Eagles journey with interest, we are already planning for our next season. Marc has offered his support in whatever capacity, and we have a very attractive proposition for our next Coach. We already have plans in place for strengthening the team and our ambitions remain undiminished.

“I am genuinely excited about the opportunity for Marc with Eagles, and the future for Teesside Lions and our new chapter.”

Coach Marc Steutel, 37, said:

“It’s with a heavy heart I make this announcement, and I really want to take the opportunity to thank all at Teesside Lions for a memorable and enjoyable season that will always hold a special place with me.

“To experience winning the league and the playoffs, but more importantly, doing it by playing the right way in front of an incredible fan base with a great group of players and people was fantastic. I have enjoyed every moment with the club, and I am pleased to have contributed in a small way to this season.

“The amazing fans who have been with us all season including the semi-final and playoff final were the definition of the sixth man and helped the team massively, and for that I am truly grateful. I’m sure the fan base will grow with each future season and continue to make Eston Arena one of the premier basketball venues in NBL.

The group of players made the year for me; with a good mix of new players, youth and experience; some I have worked with for many years and other for the first time. Everyone played their part and contributed to a successful campaign, and for that I will always be thankful; more than they know!

Finally, I want to thank James Thomson for all the trust he has shown in bringing me to Teesside. The club is in great hands and I’m excited to see it grow from strength to strength.

I’ll always be a fan of Lions and will follow closely from a short distance up the road!

Thank you and best of luck for the future.”

While Teesside fans will now eagerly await the announcement of a new coach, they will be able to bid farewell to the outgoing coach at the club’s Presentation Evening on 27th May.

Tickets for the event are available via the clubs shop at www.TeessideLions.com