Llanelli started off by playing basketball on a Sunday morning (around 1994/95), with simple games such as five against five or as little as 1-on-1.
However, this wasn't the true beginning to Llanelli Basketball Club, as there was organised basketball being played during the mid to later 1970's and the two most notable figures from this period were Jeff Barney & Trevor Perks. Not too much information remains about this period, however, Jeff and Trevor's legacy is continued by their sons Chris & Nick Barney and Jamie Perks
Thereafter, Mike Esney (who as a boy played along side Trevor and his best friend Jamie) took it upon himself to take the reins and organise Llanelli into a "proper" basketball club. The Stealers entered the West Wales Basketball League and within their first season they finished mid-table. The next season and the season after that, Llanelli continued to improve and show signs of a winning team. It wasn't until 1999/'00 that Llanelli won their first trophy. However, during the 2000/'01 season a Bulgarian International moved to Llanelli and decided to come and apply his trade with The Stealers.
Petr Petrovic became an inspiration & valuable member of the squad. Petr not only played for Llanelli, also coached, while Mike Esney became assistant & club administrator. Within Petr's first season, he took Llanelli to their second title. However, Petr also suffered a tragic and freakish accident, whereby Petr damaged knee ligament. However, this didn't stop Petr from play, he actually continued (with heavy knee strapping) and moved positions enabling Llanelli to continue.
However, only after three seasons with The Stealers, Petr was approached by Cardiff University and at the end of the season Petr moved to Cardiff to progress and further his career as a coach. Again, Mike Esney stepped up to the role of coach however, Mike decided that The Stealers should further their development and enter the South Wales Valleys League. And within their first season, with many lessons learned ended the season with only two wins to their name. However, with key players moving on in their lives, Llanelli disbanded for two or three season.
In 2006, with new and old faces wanting to continue playing met up on a weekly basis and it wasn't until 2007 that Llanelli were approached by the West Wales Basketball Regional League. However, this time Mike was unable to apply his coaching skills with family commitments and Karl Abraham & Paul Henderson stepped up to continue the progression of The Stealers. Although only after a few month of training, Mike felt that the passion couldn't be contained any longer and returned to coach Llanelli to the new season and another chapter continues...
If
you are interested in joining the Llanelli Stealers, please feel free
to turn up to training - *Monday's at Trimsaran Leisure Centre @ 8pm -
9pm at a cost of £2** or alternatively please email The Stealers
- *Unless a bank holiday, if in doubt, please contact Trimsaran on 01554 810155
- ** To cover use of Lesiure Centre
IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FORMATION OF THE STEALERS, PLEASE CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATOR WITH YOU INFORMATION!