Cheshire Phoenix have announced a merger between themselves and a junior side based in Ellesmere Port.

The Cheshire Panthers will be rebranded to Cheshire Phoenix from next season, and become the Nix’s official long-term junior partner.

The Cheshire Phoenix junior programme will be represented in four National Leagues; the under 18 North West D-League, U18 North Women, U16 Boys North Premier and two U14 teams in the North West D-League.

Panthers chairman Kim Leedham said: “We are used to having winning teams, but in recent years we have struggled. I see this merger bringing us back to winning ways, this merger is what can really lift the game of basketball in our area.”

The Panthers will also play at the new home of the British Basketball League club, at the Cheshire Oaks Arena at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

The merger is a big step forward for the club, who formed out of the ashes of the Cheshire Jets in 2012, and provides a sustainable blueprint for their future growth.

Phoenix general manager James Brice said: “Junior basketball in Cheshire has always produced top quality basketball talent and with this merger between the two clubs we aim to become a force in junior basketball once more.”

The Phoenix are now recruiting for the upcoming season and will be holding trials for the U16 boys and U18 men’s team on July 25 (12pm-2pm) at the Cheshire Oaks Arena at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.