JAMES Hamilton and Haydn Cook are planning to bring back the Cheshire Jets name in partnership with Chester Academy.
The sporting charity arm of Chester Racecourse is working with the current directors of Cook’s company Jets Foundation 2012 – which lost the Cheshire BBL franchise in October last year – to revive the Jets as a multi-sports club targeting the development of young sporting talent in the area.
This will include entering a basketball team in the National League (below the BBL) as well as developing athletes within the modern pentathlon disciplines of fencing, swimming, running, equestrianism and shooting, something Chester Academy specialises in.
Jets Foundation 2012 now includes as directors local businessman Des Williams and the chief executive of Chester Academy, Claire Wilson.
Together they are working with former Jets player Hamilton to get this plan off the ground.
“I sat down with Des about a year ago and we talked about how there are so many talented young basketball players in this area who get to a certain level and disappear from sport,” said Hamilton.
“We originally wanted to create a National League team for native local players to get game time at a high level.”
When Cook lost the BBL franchise, Williams took the opportunity to purchase the Cheshire Jets image rights for their project.
“There are a lot of talented players in the area who drift away from the game because there are few teams to play for,” said Hamilton. “Our aim will not be winning titles but to develop players so they can achieve their potential.”
Chester Academy boss Wilson got involved after identifying benefits to her athletes.
“I am excited about this partnership and I believe we can create something special,” she said.
“By sharing our expertise and skills we can better serve the athletes at the Academy.
“Often playing other sports can develop key skills in an athlete’s main sport, and if athletes feel a little stale they can try something different to revitalise themselves.
“It is all about the athletes. Both organisations are focused on the development of athletes to be the best they can be.
“We have some exciting plans ahead which I think are going to make a major impact on the sporting landscape.”
