THE Worcester Wolves can begin preparing for life in a higher league after they earned promotion into the National Basketball League Division Two North for the 2022/23 season.

The successful 2021/22 campaign included a dominant 15-1 run to take the National Basketball League Division Three Midlands league title and an appearance in National Play Off final.

It all comes after the club had to drop out of the professional British Basketball League following the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign due to financial strains after the Covid pandemic.

But now they are aiming to push themselves back up the pyramid and will come up against the likes of local rivals City of Birmingham Rockets, who the Wolves took all the way to the final buzzer last season in the National Cup, along with long-time rivals Bristol Flyers.

The Wolves will also be joined by Bristol Hurricanes, Bristol Basketball United, Charnwood Riders, Doncaster Eagles, Encon Derbyshire Arrows, Leicester Warriors, Myerscough Basketball Academy, Nottingham Trent Hoods and St Helens Saints in the NBL Division 2 North.

Men’s Team Head Coach Dean Blake is looking forward to the new challenges promotion will bring, he said; "It’s great to finally receive confirmation from Basketball England, of our promotion to NBL Division 2.

"It’s a testament to all the hard work put in by the players, club staff and management throughout the course of the season. We’re already working hard to have a team that the wolfpack can support and looking forward to the challenges that await us in D2."

Wolves Managing Director, Mick Donovan is thrilled that the men’s team have gained promotion.

"We enjoyed a successful campaign last season with a relatively young squad and it will be interesting to see how we adapt to playing at a higher level," he added.

"We look forward to welcoming many of the teams in the division to our Arena for what will be their first visit and we are relishing the challenge."