Westminster Dragons

History of the Westminster Dragons

Factfile:

Westminster Dragons 
Founded: 2009
Location: Harrow, London
Homecourt: Harrow Sports Hall
Team Colours: Black/Yellow
Teams: Men’s

Highest Achievements:
LMBL Division 2 Champions (2021-22)
LMBL Cup Winners (2021-22)

Coaches:
Andy (2009)
Bertan Gur (2009-10)
Michael Case (2013-15)
Clive Castillo (2015+)

Humble Beginnings

Westminster Dragons Men’s Basketball Club formed in 2009 and helped founded by former European coach and player Bertan Gur. The club team entered London’s oldest Men’s Local League LMBL (London Metropolitan Basketball League) was seen as an opportunity for University of Westminster players to play more games during the academic year, as BUSA (Now known as BUCS) only offers max 10-12 games per season.

The traditional and classic Harrow Sports Hall situated in the University of Westminster Harrow Campus was the home venue of the Dragons.

Coach Andy and Coach Bertan talking tactics

 

LMBL Men’s Game against the legendary City Stag Men

After one LMBL season, the club disbanded and more of the focus went on the university division. The Dragons played 18 LMBL games and lost 18.

Successful Revival

In 2013-14, Coach Michael Case revived the Men’s club with the support of the University of Westminster Students’ Union. For two seasons, Coach Case combined a team of Dragons consisting of former alumni and current players to compete in the London Metropolitan Basketball League (LMBL).

The first season in charge Coach Case led the team to a 6-6 record, finishing 4th overall. At the time, this was the Dragons highest season position in the league’s history.

Westminster Dragons take on the Kilburn Tigers in LMBL Men’s

 

Continuing the Legacy

As Coach Case left the programme in 2015, Westminster Dragons made it returns the following season in 2015-16 with new Coach Clive Castillo. Coach Clive stated it was important for the programme to implement a Men’s Division, allowing more game time and experience for the players.

The first season, Coach Clive impressed in his debut Men’s LMBL season with a favourable final record 11-5 and finishing 3rd in a tough LMBL Division 2.

The extra league games throughout the academic year gained positive feedback from student-athletes. 1st team players felt “challenged” through the physical nature of the Men’s Division. 2nd Team players were happy for an opportunity to play at a higher level with the 1st team.

After narrowly missing out on promotion back in 2016-17 (League Record 11-5, highest position 3rd) the Dragons struggled the following season 2017-18 with a string of losses and forfeits (League Record 8-10).

Coach Clive and the Westminster Dragons in LMBL Season Opener 2016-17

 

Birth of the Dragons in the National League

2019 would celebrate 10 years of Westminster Dragons competing in Men’s basketball division all over London. The best way to celebrate this is to announce the Westminster Dragons will be competing for the first time in club history in the Basketball England National League Division Four!

The Dragons finished bottom of NBL Division 4 in 2018-19 with a 1-17 record (10th) however, some promising results against Richmond Knights and Cardiff City were the highlights in a season which was full of ups and down. The University of Westminster team went on to win the BUCS Division 2 for 2019-20, with several Dragons members of this current 2018-19 NBL team using the valuable National League experience to help boost the university programme.

Back to London Local League for the Dragons

The Westminster Dragons returned to the London Metropolitan Basketball League in 2019 and despite having a solid league record (6-3) the season was postponed due to Covid-19 and was marked as incomplete. The Dragons were placed 3rd in LMBL Division 2.

Westminster Dragons returned into action in 2021-22 as the 2020-21 season was cancelled due to Covid-19.

The Dragons would make history in 2021-22, finishing with a 14-2 Division 2 league record, winning the league title and gaining promotion to LMBL Division 1. The Dragons would also go unbeaten in the LMBL Cup, defeating four LMBL Premier Teams (Met Lions, Hackney White Heat, Hoxton Heat and eventually Erkenwald in the finals) to be crowned the Champions of London – completing the impressive double.

University of Westminster Vice-Chancellor Peter Bonfield & Head Coach Clive Castillo lifting the LMBL Cup in 2022