Great Yarmouth Basketball Club Celebrates 2025/26 Season at Annual Awards Evening
Great Yarmouth Basketball Club came together on Friday 12 June 2026 for our End of Season Awards Evening, celebrating another memorable season of basketball, development, teamwork and community.
Held at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, the evening brought together players, coaches, volunteers, parents, families, guests and supporters from across the club to recognise the achievements, progress and commitment shown throughout the 2025/26 season.
This year’s awards evening was our biggest yet, reflecting the continued growth of the club and the strength of the basketball community being built across Great Yarmouth and East Norfolk.
Awards were presented across a wide range of categories, including Leading Scorer, Sharpshooter, Most Improved Player, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Players’ Player, A.C.E. and B.E.A.S.T.
The A.C.E. Awards recognised players who consistently demonstrated Attitude, Concentration and Effort, while the B.E.A.S.T. Awards recognised each team’s MVP through the club’s wider values of Behaviour, Excellence, Attitude, Skill and Tactical Awareness.
The evening also gave the club an opportunity to recognise the East Norfolk U18 team, who were presented with their Norfolk U18 League trophy following an outstanding undefeated season. The team finished 8–0, scoring 659 points and conceding just 310, making them both the highest-scoring and best defensive team in the league.
Club-Wide Annual Awards
The club-wide annual awards recognised people who made a significant contribution to Great Yarmouth Basketball Club across the season, both on and off the court.
George Patterson was named Coach of the Year after an outstanding season supporting teams, leading sessions and helping shape the club’s developing coaching approach.
The Heather Middleton Shield for Volunteer of the Year was presented to Stacey and Mike O’Donnell, recognising their incredible support across game days, tuck shop, setup, pack-down and wider club activity throughout the season.
The inaugural John Mann Shield for Player of the Year was awarded to Eduard Miklos. Named in honour of one of the most significant figures in the history of basketball in Great Yarmouth and Norfolk, the shield recognises the player who best represents the values, standards and commitment of the club.
The Jim West Trophy for Club Member of the Year — the club’s most prestigious annual award — was presented to Amii Lee, recognising her outstanding contribution as a young Junior Apprentice Coach and her growing role supporting younger players within the club.
John Mann presenting the inaugural Player of The Year Award - the John Mann Shield
Honouring Club History
This year’s evening was made even more special by the presence of Heather Middleton, John Mann and Cathy West, each of whom has a significant connection to the history and legacy of basketball in Great Yarmouth.
Heather Middleton, who was part of the committee that relaunched the club in 2014 and served as the club’s first treasurer, was able to present the Volunteer of the Year shield named in her honour for the first time.
John Mann, a true legend of basketball in Great Yarmouth and Norfolk, joined us to present the first ever John Mann Shield.
Cathy West, wife of the late Jim West and a long-time supporter of the club, was also with us as the club once again presented the Jim West Trophy in recognition of Jim’s lasting legacy and his impact on young people through basketball in Great Yarmouth.
Thank You, Konnar
The club also took time during the evening to thank Konnar Lanham, who is leaving the club this summer.
Konnar has been part of Great Yarmouth Basketball Club since the club relaunched in 2014, first as a player and later as a coach, Lead Coach, Men’s Head Coach and East Norfolk Basketball Academy Head Coach.
A short video looked back at Konnar’s time with the club, including photos from across the years and messages from former players. He was also presented with a framed thank-you print and a signed gold basketball from players, coaches, families and club members.
Konnar has played a major role in the club’s journey over the last 12 years, and we are hugely grateful for everything he has given to Great Yarmouth Basketball Club.
Photos, Videos and Awards Archive
As part of the evening, players and families enjoyed team highlight videos, B.E.A.S.T. award winner videos, Moment of the Season and Game of the Season shortlists, and a look back at memories from across the year.
The awards videos are now available to watch on the club’s YouTube channel.
The full 2026 awards photo gallery has also been added to the website, alongside the updated Honours and Awards page, where you can view this year’s winners and previous award history.
Thank You
A huge thank you goes to everyone who attended, supported, donated, helped organise the event, presented awards, bought raffle tickets, cheered the players and helped make the evening feel so special.
The club would also like to thank East Norfolk Sixth Form College for hosting the evening and continuing to support the growth of basketball in the area.
Thank you also to ABC Power — Leaders in Quality Gas Engineering — for sponsoring the awards night for the third year running, and to Sam Clarke for capturing the evening so brilliantly through photography.
Events like this only happen because people give their time, support and expertise, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the night such a success.
Most importantly, congratulations to all of our 2026 award winners, and to every player, coach, volunteer, parent, family member and supporter who has been part of the season.
Great Yarmouth Basketball Club is about more than basketball. It is about people, community, effort, growth and belonging — and this year’s awards evening was a wonderful reminder of that.
