08/09/2026
❤️🏀 MORE THAN JUST A KIT | IN MEMORY OF PAUL
Last Saturday was a hugely significant and emotional day for our Warriors family as our U14 Boys stepped onto court in their new National League kit for the very first time, ahead of the club’s first ever U14 Boys National League game.
But this kit, and this day, represented far more than basketball.
The kit was made possible through the incredible support of Paul and Cloud 9 Architecture. Paul had supported Warriors for a number of years and had become very much part of our Warriors family.
Sadly, Paul became very poorly and passed away before he was able to see his son, Harrison, take to the court wearing the kit he had helped make possible.
Before Saturday’s game, we held a small and very emotional ceremony with Paul’s wife Kelly, his son Harrison, his parents, his extended family and his business partner Ian from Cloud 9 Architecture.
We presented the family with Paul’s own number 9 Warriors jersey, specially framed in his memory.
Number 9 has now been retired from this U14 squad. It is our small way of recognising Paul and ensuring that his contribution, support and place within our Warriors family travels with this team throughout their National League journey.
We want to say a huge thank you to Kelly, Harrison, Paul’s parents and the whole extended family for the support they have continued to show our club during what has been an incredibly difficult time. We sincerely hope that Saturday’s ceremony paid the respect to Paul and his family that they deserve. ❤️
Thank you also to Ian and everyone at Cloud 9 Architecture for their continued support.
We also want to recognise Mark Jackson and everyone at All In Brand, who knew the circumstances and did everything they possibly could to get the new kit produced and delivered as quickly as possible. Sadly, despite everyone’s efforts, it wasn't ready in time for Paul to see Harrison and the boys wearing it.
We know how hard Mark and the team tried to make that happen, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they did.
A huge thank you also needs to go to our coaching team, team managers and everyone around this group of players. Over the last few months, they have quietly looked out for Harrison and his family, supported the players and done everything possible to keep basketball a familiar and positive place to be.
And to our players — we are incredibly proud of you.
They are still a very young group, with many of them in Year 8, but the care and support they have shown for their teammate and each other has meant a great deal. Sometimes being part of a team goes far beyond what happens on a basketball court, and this group has demonstrated exactly that.
We'd also like to thank our opponents, Portsmouth Force, for giving us the time and space before the game to complete our ceremony privately with Paul’s family before they entered the hall. They weren't aware beforehand of what was taking place, so their patience and understanding on the day were very much appreciated.
Once the basketball started, Portsmouth brought a very strong team and gave our boys a real introduction to the level and challenges of National League basketball. Congratulations to them on the result.
For our boys, this is going to be a journey.
There will be tough games, difficult moments and plenty of lessons along the way. But on Saturday, the thing that made us proudest wasn't the scoreboard.
It was seeing this young group deal with an incredibly emotional occasion, support Harrison and one another, look after their teammates and continue to stick together when things became difficult.
That's what being a Warrior means.
This was the first U14 Boys National League game in our club's history. The start of a new chapter for these boys — but one that will always carry the memory of someone who helped make it possible.
Paul — thank you for believing in us, supporting us and being part of our family.
Number 9. Retired, remembered and always a Warrior. ❤️
Our love and thoughts remain with Kelly, Harrison, Paul’s parents, his extended family and everyone who knew and loved him.
WE ARE WARRIORS. 🏀❤️
FOR PAUL. BE BRAVE BE BRILLIANT!
