About us

Torbay Tigers are a local amateur basketball club based in Torbay, South Devon.


Where it started..

Torbay Tigers Basketball Club was formed in 1973 by Rick Wooldridge and Norman Waldron, two teachers at Churston Ferrers Grammar School. Now in our 50th season, our goal is to deliver quality, competitive and participatory basketball opportunities to a wide audience within the Borough of Torbay, Devon.

Torbay Triangle Basketball Club
Long before becoming the junior section of Torbay Tigers a basketball team was raised at the YMCA in Clennon Valley ( this was before the YMCA ceased to be a youth club and became purely a service provider) Keely Colby was the Y's youth leader and she also played in Torquay for Torbay for Ladies Basketball in the E&DBL which was run by local referee, Dick Hammond.

Keely saw Chris Mackey pick up a stray basketball and shoot a basket whilst at the Y for a management board meeting and this led to her getting Chris involved with the young members there who were interested in basketball . The Triangle Club was set up with Dick coaching and helping us to join the E&DBL. When STC, who were already playing in the E&DBL, found difficulty in recruiting players they joined forces with us at the YMCA.

As time moved on, so did Keely and we needed qualified coaching staff, getting a lad called Paul, who went on to find a career with the YMCA movement elsewhere and then Toby Chant connection started.

The YMCA and CFGS shared costs to get Toby fully qualified and the Tigers link began with us entering the National League using the court facilities and Tigers scoring equipment and playing as YMCA Torbay Tigers and the official start of the Tigers' junior section.


Life-Long Tigers - Key personnel

  • Rick Wooldridge

    Co-Founder. Multiple roles. Former President

  • Norman Waldron

    Co-Founder. Multiple Roles over the years. Current President.

  • Mozza - Richard Morrison

    (Very) Long serving player and Vice President

  • Bazza - Barry Bayley

    Has done pretty much every role in the club

  • Lloyd Blackler

    Player & Coach & Chairman. Will he play longer than Mozza?

  • Tigger

    Club Mascot for years. Was last seen celebrating in a bar in Exeter following a win against Nomads. Not been seen since. 

    • At Torbay Tigers, we are celebrating our 50th Year.

    Come and Celebrate with us!

    Coaches

    Lee Pottinger

    Lead administrative contact & 14’s coach. I learned the game under the expert tutelage of Rick Wooldridge and Norman Waldron. After playing for Torbay Tigers for 15 years, I now gain a huge amount of satisfaction in helpin the younger members of the club develop their skills.

    Dean Billingham

    I started playing for the Birmingham Bullets, The Scorpions and the one and only Torbay Tigers. Throughout my almost thirty years in basketball, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the best teams and coaches in the game. I now look forward to meeting and coaching all the younger members of the club, helping to keep the game of basketball great.

    Headley Powelsland

    It started in my back garden with my big brother, who was very competitive and never gave any quarter! This obviously toughened me up for the road ahead. That road led to London and encompassed the Cathedral of basketball Borough Road and Brixton Topcats. Next I got on a plane and went to China to play for the Guangxi provincial side Nanning Sky before returning to Torbay and spending the last decade with Tigers, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

    Lloyd Blacker

    I started my basketball journey in full at Churston Grammar School under the guidance of Rick Wooldridge and Norman Waldron. I was part of the U19 National Championship winning side in 1989 having learned a great deal playing in the local Plymouth. I spent a semester at Navarro College, Texas before continuing my education at Brunel University in London. I also played for a number of National League teams

    Colin Walker

    Junior Fitness Coach & Fixtures Secretary. I am am experienced coach with a long history in Rugby and Hockey. I’ve found the sport of basketball relatively recently but find that principles from other sports easily transfer. I head up our junior HIIT fitness sessions, ‘Basketfit’ and also take responsibility for liaising with other clubs to organise junior fixtures.

    Nathan Chant

    Under 16’s Coach. I am level 2 coach, experienced at leading the development of players across all age groups. I too am a product of the Churston Grammar School, Norman and Rick conveyor belt! I am also a member of the mens first team squad.

    Greg Stuart

    Under 16’s Coach . I am a member of the mens first team squad and I assist Nathan with coaching the U16s. I also perform a number of administrative roles for the senior section of the club. I really enjoy being able to pass my experience on to the younger players.

    Keiron Palmer

    Mens Coach. I am a level 2 coach and currently double up as player/coach for the mens team. Like many other Tigers coaches I learned from Rick and Norman and spent a number of years gaining coaching experience with the junior age groups.

    Laurence Ashdown

    Details to follow

    Sam Stewart

    Details to follow

    Dan Woodcock

    Details to follow

    Lee Pottinger

    Lead administrative contact & 14’s coach. I learned the game under the expert tutelage of Rick Wooldridge and Norman Waldron. After playing for Torbay Tigers for 15 years, I now gain a huge amount of satisfaction in helpin the younger members of the club develop their skills.

    Dean Billingham

    I started playing for the Birmingham Bullets, The Scorpions and the one and only Torbay Tigers. Throughout my almost thirty years in basketball, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the best teams and coaches in the game. I now look forward to meeting and coaching all the younger members of the club, helping to keep the game of basketball great.
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