Sullivan signs year long deal at Riders

The Leicester Riders were celebrating twice on Thursday as Coach Rob Paternostro was awarded the Coach of the Month award for November and the announcement that Andrew Sullivan had signed to the club for the rest of the season 2011 season.

Sullivan’s signing was a welcome boost for both player and club ahead of the crucial clash against the Newcastle Eagles (Drew’s former team) on Friday as the BBL Cup semi-final is tied at 90 each following a first leg stalemate.

The GB Captain’s move was only made possible thanks to the financial backing of a small group of local businessmen who were alerted to the potential the club possesses by Riders GM, Russ Levenston and Chairman of Leicester Riders Community Interest Company, Steve White.

For the sponsors, the opportunity to help a local team achieve success was as important as serving the community the team resides within.

One of the sponsors, Jamie Lewis of Jamie Lewis Residential, said “We thought there was a good fit with the De Montfort University as the cheerleaders are based on campus and we felt that if we could assist a team that’s near the very top of the BBL then we would.”

Paternostro’s coaching award was well deserved following his sides excellent November stretch which saw his side remain unbeaten whilst progressing to the cup semi-final and despite the attention he and his team are getting he insists “I don’t feel any extra, added pressure.”

That impressive record can be improved upon on Friday as his Riders side travel to Newcastle to face the Eagles in the BBL Cup semi-final second leg in what promises to be the game of the season with both teams currently flying high.