Chairman of basketball team Mildenhall Pirates overwhelmed as club celebrates 10th anniversary
The chairman of a basketball team in a Suffolk town said he feels overwhelmed as his club celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Steve Gunn, 56, is a founding member of Mildenhall Pirates and has watched the group grow and expand over the past decade.
Steve, who lives in Mildenhall, has been an integral part of the Pirates’ journey since it started in the Suffolk league at the end of 2014, before its switch to the Cambridge league two years later.
“It initially started with me wanting to play basketball locally and finding others who wanted to play, so I just kept asking random people and it escalated from there,” he said.
“I've embraced every moment and this decade has really been an emotional voyage. I've been extremely overwhelmed by the anniversary and am very happy at what we have created.
“To have come this far and to have created something like this, is to be really treasured.”
Mildenhall Pirates was founded not only by Steve, but also coach Peter Langford and conditioning coach Joseph Daguerre.
Joseph has arranged for a new kit to commemorate the 10-year anniversary.
Training is every Friday from 7pm until 9pm at the Mildenhall Hub and adults of all abilities are welcome to play.
Steve said: “We are a community and support each other on and off court. Basketball is much more than a game.
“All Pirates, past and present, have been outstanding. We have Pirates studying degrees and another is about to graduate as a nurse. We have veterans, chefs, logistics, factory managers and teachers.
“We have also recently welcomed our first Pirates baby with one of our members being a new father which is amazing to see.”
In September 2024, the Pirates merged with the Mildenhall Jets who are now in their second season.
There are currently five Mildenhall Jets teams that all train at the Mildenhall Hub, including the under 11’s, under 12’s, National League under 14’s, under 16’s and under 18’s.
Lisa Gladstone is treasurer for the Jets and is part of the founding team along with Bradley Day, Charity Ransom, Keith Swan and Graham Gladstone.
Lisa said: “We are proud to be associated with Mildenhall Pirates and we recognise all the hard work by the people who have kept it going for over a decade now. It's a very exciting time.
