Teesside Lions
Who we are
Teesside Lions is one of the North East’s most exciting and community-driven basketball clubs. With 400+ members, thriving youth and national league teams, and men’s home games attracting hundreds of fans, we are more than just a club – we are a community hub.
Through programmes such as Role Models and Pathways, we deliver mentoring, coaching and school engagement to thousands of children and young people each year. Our work improves attendance, behaviour, health and resilience, giving young people positive pathways in life.
What we are building
We are working towards creating a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Basketball in Teesside. This facility will provide a permanent home for the sport, expand community programmes and establish Teesside as a regional hub for basketball development and education.
Why partner with us
Sponsorship with Teesside Lions gives your organisation:
- Brand visibility across match-day kits, courtside signage, events and media.
- Community impact – association with projects tackling youth wellbeing, antisocial behaviour and education.
- Regional reach – thousands engaged annually through schools, community programmes and game-day audiences.
- Positive PR – alignment with a trusted, high-profile grassroots sports brand.
- Flexible packages – from lead partnerships with naming rights to accessible community sponsorships.
Partnering with Teesside Lions means investing not only in sport, but in the future of children, young people and communities across the Tees Valley.
Target Audience
Our reach is broad and community-focused, attracting families, young people and sports fans across the Tees Valley.
Age range: 6–18 (youth players), 18–45 (fans, students, parents), with a strong family following.
Gender: Mixed audience – basketball has one of the most diverse participant bases of any UK sport, appealing equally to boys and girls.
Demographic: Inclusive, with a strong presence across working families, students and young professionals. Many fans and participants fall within the ABC1 demographic but we also engage significantly with communities from less advantaged areas.
Lifestyle/Interests: Sport, fitness, education, youth development, family activities, community engagement, volunteering. Highly active on social media and digitally engaged.
Event attendance: Men’s home games attract hundreds of spectators, with strong community atmosphere – families, students and sports fans enjoying live entertainment.
Community engagement: Thousands of school pupils reached annually through Role Models & Pathways programmes.
In short: a diverse, family-friendly, socially engaged audience with strong roots in the community and appeal across Teesside.
Specific Opportunity Details
Who are we?
We are Teesside Lions, one of the North East’s most exciting basketball clubs. With over 400 members, thriving youth and senior teams and crowds of hundreds at men’s games, we’re more than just a club – we’re a community. Our programmes like Role Models and Pathways use basketball to inspire confidence, improve behaviour and attendance in schools and give young people a positive path through education, sport and life.
Why are we looking for sponsorship?
Right now, we have no permanent home. We spend over tens of thousands each year hiring multiple venues which limits how much we can deliver. With demand growing, it’s time to create the Teesside Centre of Excellence for Basketball – a safe, high-quality hub for children, families and the wider community.
Your support will help us build a dedicated facility with competition-standard courts, scoreboards, lighting and community spaces. This project is about creating opportunity, improving health, tackling antisocial behaviour and giving young people pride in their community.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Transparency matters. Here’s how your pledges will make a difference:
Installation of a new sprung wooden floor with branding and court lines
Competition-standard lighting suitable for national fixtures
Retractable baskets, shot clocks and backboards
Electronic scoreboards
Painting and internal refurbishment
Community equipment, seating and signage
Our priority is to build towards a dedicated Centre of Excellence for basketball in Teesside. However, funds may also be used to help the club grow sustainably – supporting coaching, community delivery and operations – ensuring we continue to move forward as a strong, accessible community organisation.
Community impact
This project will benefit more than just players. Last year, through our school and community work, we engaged 3,800+ young people and gave away 3,200 free tickets to families for our games. Teachers report improved behaviour, attendance and confidence among pupils in our programmes.
A dedicated Centre of Excellence will:
Engage 1,500+ people annually in sport and community activity
Create 20+ volunteering and coaching opportunities for young leaders each year
Provide a safe, welcoming space for families and young people to come together
Build pride across Teesside, giving our region a much-needed sporting hub outside Newcastle
This is a community space that will change lives.
Together, we can build something special for Teesside. 🏀💛
Features and Benefits
As a Teesside Lions sponsor, your organisation will receive a tailored package designed to maximise visibility, engagement and community impact. Benefits may include:
Branding & Visibility
Logo placement on team kits (home & away)
Courtside advertising boards and digital screens
Branding on club website, newsletters and social media campaigns
Inclusion in press releases and match-day programmes
Advertising & Promotion
Promotion through local media coverage (games, events, community projects)
Co-branded community campaigns (e.g. Role Models, Pathways)
Recognition in match-day announcements and livestreams
Hospitality & Experiences
VIP hospitality tickets to home games (meet players, courtside seating)
Invitations to sponsor networking events & community launches
Opportunities for staff engagement and team-building activities
Community Engagement
Association with school and youth programmes
Opportunity to co-sponsor tournaments and community events
Direct alignment with CSR priorities around youth wellbeing, education and inclusion
Product & Service Opportunities
Product sampling and promotional stands at home games
Digital and in-person shout-outs to highly engaged family audiences
Tailored activations to showcase your products or services
Partnering with Teesside Lions is a chance to connect with thousands of families, young people and sports fans across the Tees Valley while making a tangible difference in the community.
Other Partners
Cipher Medical
Ryze
JSC Electrics
Altrad
ITPS
Wills 4 U
Teesside University
Investment
Lead Partner – £7,500+ / year – Brand on kit, media, banners, naming rights on programmes
Official Partner – £2,500 – £5,000 / year – Court visibility, digital promos, PR
Community Champion – £500 – £2,000 / year – Shout-outs, social media, grassroots visibility
Other Info
Our long-term vision is to create a Centre of Excellence for Basketball in Teesside – a dedicated facility that will provide a permanent home for the sport and a hub for community activity, education and youth development across the region.
While this is our ultimate goal, we are also seeking support to ensure the club continues to grow sustainably in the short term. Funds raised will help us deliver more school programmes, expand community sessions, support coaching and volunteering, and strengthen our organisational capacity as we build towards the Centre of Excellence.
In short, every contribution – whether through sponsorship, grants or donations – helps us take the next step: keeping Teesside Lions thriving today, while working towards a lasting legacy for tomorrow.