Will a New Den help the Lions to Roar?

The 2013/14 season will see the London Lions make a move North of the river, to a new home in East London.

The Copper Box is situated in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and was responsible for hosting a number of events during last summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Despite being a small venue, especially when compared to it’s stadium siblings, it later became affectionately known as “The Box that Rocks”.

Home to indoor sports such as handball, modern pentathlon and goalball, the Box was praised for it’s loud and exciting atmosphere. The Lions now plan to capitalise on this and turn the “Home of Handball” into a basketball fortress.

Holding a maximum capacity of 7,000 supporters, it is the largest venue in the league and twice the size of the Londoners old Crystal Palace home. The closest competition for attendance capacity is the Glasgow Rock’s Emirates Arena, which hosts 6,500.

Since the games, the arena has been converted into a new multi-purpose sporting complex. It is now the only indoor arena in the Olympic Park, after the temporary Basketball Arena was dismantled and later recycled. It will host a number of leisure and entertainment events, which are likely to attract around 500,000 visits each year.

Vince Macaulay’s side will kick-start their preparations on Wednesday 14 August 2013, with a friendly matchup against international opponents, Iowa University. The “Hawkeyes” will embark on a European tour this summer and will play the Lions whilst visiting the capital.

The trip will be a special one for Iowa prospect, Gabriel Olaseni. The 6’10’’ Centre was born in London and is looking forward to playing in front of family members. “My parents and siblings haven’t been able to watch me in college”, said the 22 year-old, “It will be cool to introduce them to my coaches and teammates. Also, show them how we play as a team and hopefully pick up a few wins and grow as a team in the process”.

The fixture will also see Lions point guard Rod Brown back in a purple and gold jersey, after a strong finish to last season. The 31 year-old American is a firm fan favourite and the players will be looking to the versatile veteran to help them improve on last season’s eighth position.

Brown is the first signing for the 2013/14 season and is a clear signal of the side’s ambitions. “Rod was a great addition to us last season and he’s just as excited as I am about the move”, said Coach Vince Macaulay. “His veteran leadership was key and will be required this season, as we try to compete at the top of the league table”.

After moving to a new home, everything is in place for the Lions to push for a place amongst the league elite. The London 2012 Olympics always did promise to create a lasting legacy. Will this exciting new chapter in the club’s history help the Lions to leave behind a legacy of their own?