The Sharks - Sheffield

Basketball with teeth

The Sharks Sheffield are an award winning club with a long history of success within the BBL. The club was set up in 1994 with the acquisition of the South Yorkshire franchise by the Chrysalis Group. With the immediate appointment of local Sheffield sports management consultancy, Montgomery Leisure Services Ltd, the clubs day to day operation was overseen by current club chairman Yuri Matischen, supported by Sarah Backovic and John Timms.

The Sharks have been a leading basketball franchise in the British Basketball League since 1994 having won 10 championship titles throughout its 14 year existence. With significant on court success the club is now well known for its activities both on an off the court.

For information on the club’s community activities, please go to ‘Community Programmes’.

It has previously competed in the European Cup and in the NBA sponsored World Club Championship and has a reputation for an ultra competitive and flowing team style of basketball. It has been the home for nurturing British basketball talent, producing many GB internationals, believing in continuity and recruiting intelligent and “coachable” overseas players that add value to the organisation beyond their individual playing capabilities. In terms of coaching staff, (there have only ever been three Head Coaches), the Sharks believe in continuity and succession planning recruiting from amongst its former players and associates.

Jim Brandon was the first coach, who was succeeded by Chris Finch (10 years with the Sharks), who is currently the GB Senior Men’s Head Coach (and Coach’s in Belgium), whilst Peter Scantlebury (9 years with the Sharks), was the last England Senior Men’s Coach, achieving a Bronze medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Behind the players is a network of people working hard to develop the club. 75% of club is owned and ran by Montgomery Leisure Services, with the remaining 25% owned by five equal stakeholder business individuals.

The management of the club is as follows

Chairman: Yuri Matischen
Managing Director: Sarah Backovic
Operations Director: John Timms
Community Manager: Alison Bridge
Operations Manager: Joel Mills

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Atiba Lyons
Assistant Coach: Todd Cauthorn
Assistant Coach: John Belk

Basketball Support Services: Gareth Tyler
Team Manager: Barry Munks
Volunteer Team Manager: John Lake
Team Doctor: Dr Moses Okorie

For more information call the Sharks Office on (0114) 257 1994 

Postal Address

Sheffield Sharks,
MLS Sports Ltd,
4 Park Square,
Newton Chambers Road,
Thorncliffe Park,
Sheffield,
S35 2PH.

Tel: (0114) 257 1994
Fax: (0114) 257 0664
Email: joel.mills@mls.gb.com