FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME ANNOUNCED FOR WE LOVE MANCHESTER FUND
June 20, 2016 | JAMES GORDON
Manchester Giants will open the new season with a special We Love Manchester exhibition match against USA Select on Sunday September 3 (5pm).
As has been the case in recent seasons, the USA Select team will visit the Trafford Sportsdome to give the Giants a real test in the build-up to the new BBL campaign.
This year’s match will carry extra significance, as it will act as a fundraiser for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, set up following the Manchester Arena bombing in May.
There will be donation buckets on the day, special t-shirts to be bought with all proceeds going to the fund, while the club will also donate all revenue from Chuck-a-Duck.
The Giants vest for the 2017/18 season will also feature a “We Love Mcr” band across one of the shoulders.
Sean Kilmartin, USA Select Team Manager, said: “The powerful spirit of Manchester is recognized all over the world. It is not just the historic competitiveness of their sports, but their strength of character, pride, uniqueness and compassion.
“It has become both a highlight and an honour for USA Select Basketball to have such a strong relationship with the remarkable people of Manchester. We love Manchester!”
The match will be the first game in charge for new coach Danny Byrne, appointed at the end of last season.
It will be the first chance to see the new Giants squad in action ahead of the BBL season, which is due to begin on September 29th.
Tickets for the USA Select game are available to buy online now, at the usual prices – Adult £12, Concession £9, Junior £5, Family £30 (booking fee applies).