Team Swindon Basketball club is a club with big ambitions.

The brand new group was started by co-owner Antonio Wilburn, a former professional basketball player himself, to encourage a high level of basketball in the town.

“We started this club to bring a professional atmosphere and identity to Swindon through basketball,” said Antonio.

“We wanted to create a team the people of Swindon could call their own.”

The club’s branding incorporates a steam train in it.

“It’s something the people of Swindon can identify with, as the train represents us,” he added.

Training for the men’s team takes place twice a week at the Great Western Academy near Blunsdon, on Tuesday between 7.30-8.30pm, and Thursday between 8-9.30pm.

The team played its home debut last Saturday when it faced the Aztec Jaguars from Crowthorne.

They secured a 92-71 win, beginning their season in the Wessex Mens Open Division 1.

The club is also a not for profit organization, and has recently started running youth development sessions to nurture young local talent along a structured training pathway.

These sessions are held also at the Great Western Academy every Thursdays between 7-8pm, and are aimed at individuals aged between 11 and 15 years old who already have experience playing the game.

“We want to create a grass roots pathway for the younger generation of the team to build for,” said Anthony.

“At the moment this is designed for kids who might already play the game and are wanting to develop their skills a bit further.

“It’s for anyone wanting to get involved who has a passion for the game,” he added.

As these sessions grow there are plans to also perhaps create a youth league in Swindon.

Anthony added: “We want to get more people involved and continue to improve the youth game and perhaps have provision for different age groups.”

“We want this to be a team for Swindon to call their own and to have a community feel which everyone can support,” he said.