September marks not only a new season for the Nottingham Hoods, but also a new head coach in the form of the returning Ben Stanley.

In replacing the now-departed Vladan Dragosavac, Stanley returns to the Hoods having experienced action in coaching that of Solent Kestrels, Leicester Riders/Loughborough University, and Milton Keynes Breakers.

However, the lure of a return to Nottingham, and coaching a men’s team full-time, ultimately proved too much, and was the key factor surrounding his ‘homecoming.’

“I’m really enjoying being back,” he explained in a recent interview with the Nottingham Sport.

“We’ve a new practice venue, new staff, massive changes since I was last here.

“Back then we were top five pre-covid, now though, I want us to do better than last year.

“The aim is to finish in the top four, and to go further in the playoffs.

“The league is going to be tougher though, but we have the talent here to achieve that.”

The new season gets underway this coming Sunday (6 September) when the Hoods host East Midlands rivals, Derby Trailblazers, in their opening, BCB Trophy matchup.

Following the visit of Derby there’s a double-header on 19/20 September, with Stanley’s charges first welcoming Yorkshire Dragons, before making the trip to Tyneside, and the Newcastle Knights.

A fourth game in the Trophy comes later on in the month when the Hoods head north o’ the border, and Falkirk Fury, on Saturday 26 September.

Speaking of the visit of Derby, as well as matchups with Loughborough Riders, Hoods are scheduled to face both during the BCBs regular season, Stanley added that; “All those games, locally, for the fans; it’ll be busy, loud, and brings with them a lot of history.

“That means a lot to the clubs involved in those games.

“We’ve got probably the toughest (BCB Trophy) group though.

“Derby and Newcastle are both very good, as are Yorkshire, whilst Falkirk is a big travel.

“It’s a packed pool but, for us, as staff anyway, the Trophy is, in essence, our preseason.

“We won’t be changing our plans and will still treat each of the games seriously.”

The new league season begins next month, starting with a trio of home games and, perhaps unsurprisingly, head coach Ben Stanley, captain Elliot Bailey, and the Hoods, welcome Derby Trailblazers (Saturday 3 October) to the Sports Village in the opener.

That’s followed by the visits of Bristol Flyers II (Saturday 10 October), and Essex Rebels (Sunday 11 October), before the first road trip has them at Worthing Thunder (Sunday 18 October) a week later.

Opposition for the Hoods in this season’s league sees them facing off against that of Bristol Flyers II, Bristol Hurricanes, City of Birmingham Rockets, Derby Trailblazers, Essex Rebels, Hemel Storm, London Cavaliers, Loughborough Riders, Milton Keynes Breakers, Newcastle Knights, Reading Rockets, Worthing Thunder, and Yorkshire Dragons.

The regular season runs through to early April, upon which the Hoods are also scheduled a trio of home games, facing Loughborough Riders (Sunday 28 March), Yorkshire Dragons (Saturday 3 April), and Bristol Hurricanes (Sunday 4 April).

“I was proud of what I achieved when I was at Solent, whilst going to Loughborough was, at the time, something I couldn’t refuse,” continued Stanley.

“I also enjoyed the time I had at MK, but I wanted my own charges, not a split-focus, coming here gives me that.

“There’s a lot of tricky games ahead, with Derby looking really strong, Hemel, Reading, and Newcastle have great squads and coaches.

“I also think Birmingham will be very very good, MK will be up there, whilst Yorkshire and Loughborough will surprise people.

“It’s a really tough league, and super exciting as the level of players has gone up the past few years.

“With us, the lads have been practising four times a week, and doing all sorts of training.

“Elliot (Bailey) is still captain, but we have a lot of leaders, players like Sam Akano and Cameron Khan; there’s also some quiet leaders, those who lead by example as well.”

The Nottingham Hoods have also renewed their ongoing partnership with hotel chain, Mercure Hotels (Nottingham Sherwood) for the 2026/27 season, Mercure having hosted their recent Media Day, as well as the Hoods’ three, American imports.

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*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @hoodsbasketball Ben Stanley returns to the Hoods hotseat.