Manchester Mystics have added experienced guards Rheanne Bailey and Joanna Clayden to their WBBL squad for the 2016/17 season.

Bailey, 24, is a former Great Britain Under-20 international, while Clayden, 32, has appeared for the senior GB side.

“Both players bring much needed skills to the squad,” said Mystics head coach Jeff Jones.

“Rheanne brings a defensive toughness to the team, along with a great winning mentality, having enjoyed success at Leicester and Loughborough respectively.

“She loves to compete and should instil that into the younger players that we are trying to develop for the future.”

According to Jones, the 5ft 10in Clayden is “one of the best shooters that has played in this country”.

He added: “That will probably be the kiss of death for her, but, seriously, we not only need the outside threat she poses but her length will be invaluable to us on the defensive end.

“Jo has been demonstrating an understanding of the game and specific roles. I watched her coach in a regional tournament the other weekend and I really think it has helped her individual game as much as the good job she did with her team.”

Jones added: “Both players join a club where they will see familiar faces, having played with most of the senior players at one time or another.

“We are hoping to add a couple more players as soon as we can, as well as finding some young players who can make the grade of the new Mystics.”

Blackpool-born Clayden, who has played for Sheffield Hatters and Leeds Carnegie, is completing a return to Manchester, having spent some time with the club earlier in her career.

She attended Auburn University in the NCAA and even had a year playing professionally in Spain.

Bailey, from Birmingham, has also played with Leeds Carnegie, as well as Nottingham Wildcats, Loughborough and Leicester Riders, where she took to the court in 20 games during the inaugural WBBL season in 2014/15.

The club is very sad to announce the death of Peter Minister at the age of 59.

The father of Jack, who plays for our senior men, and Kate, who played for our age-group girls teams some years ago, Peter was a very big supporter of the Magic and Mystics.

His background as a top player in Manchester enabled him to make a major contribution to our development programme.

He coached our boys for many years and was very instrumental in our early success, instilling good principles in all our players.

More important than any of this, Peter was an outstanding person, a man of great integrity and character and a great family man.

We will all miss him greatly and offer our condolences to wife Kim, Jack and Kate.

Manchester Magic have ensured their players will be well looked after this season after agreeing a significant sponsorship deal with Dave Roberts Physiotherapy.

The contract will ensure the club gets the medical supplies it needs to cope with what is sure to be another demanding but hopefully successful campaign.

“It is fantastic news to have a partnership with such an established, professional organisation such as David Roberts Physiotherapy,” said Magic coach Paul Middleton.

“Physio support has been such a vital part of our success as a team over the last few years and we are lucky to have two amazing physios in Ali Barvareh and Greg Mylonas.

“To have additional support from David Roberts Physiotherapy is amazing. Both staff and players are very grateful for the benefits that this partnership will bring.”

Andrew Byrne, area manager for Dave Roberts Physiotherapy, said his team are “really excited” to be sponsoring Manchester Magic for the first time this year.

“We have more than 30 years of experience treating the general public and elite sports people,” he added. “With clinics all over Manchester, we love helping people get back to whatever activity they like to do!”

For more information about Dave Roberts Physiotherapy, which is part of Total Physiotherapy, and the services they provide, visit their website at www.totalphysio.co.uk

Magic start their season on Saturday, when they begin the defence of their National Trophy title at Bradford Dragons.

Manchester Magic have confirmed two more signings ahead of the new season, which starts this weekend.

Simon Anumba, 20, a key member of the all-conquering Magic team last last season, and Loick Pouale, 22, will be part of Paul Middleton’s squad for the 2016/17 campaign.

Middleton is delighted Anumba, a 6ft 5in forward with an Italian passport, is returning.

“After spending the last few months searching for a scholarship to the USA, I am pleased to say that Simon will be re-signing for the Magic this coming season,” said Middleton.

“He has a scholarship offer from a highly regarded NCAA Division 2 programme, but there has been a delay the process that may see him taking up the offer later in the year.

“Simon has grown as a player and a person over the last two seasons since moving over from Italy with his family.

“He had a major impact last year, starting many games for us and becoming one of our top scorers, rebounders and defenders.

“He is extremely versatile and will be hugely important to our success this coming year.”

Pouale, a 6ft 4in guard, is a former Magic junior who played for Leeds Force in the BBL last season after studying in the United States.

Now a student at MMU, he joins a talented squad looking to defend all four titles they won in 2015/16.

“It is great to see him back in a Magic shirt,” said Middleton.

“Loick started with us in the Under-13 programme many years ago and played in every age-group team, including our Loreto College Academy before leaving for the USA.

“Like Simon, Loick is a player that can be effective on both ends of the floor as he possesses a great athleticism that allows him to make spectacular plays for the team.”

Anumba will join younger brother Michael in a Magic squad that includes former Manchester Giants star Stefan Gill.

Magic get their season underway with a National Trophy tie at Bradford Dragons on Saturday.

Manchester Magic have added Tyme Regent-Bascombe and Ryan Lewis to their squad for the forthcoming NBL Division 1 campaign.

Regent-Bascombe, 22, is a 6ft 4in forward who returns to the club after a season with Ipswich.

Lewis, 28, is a 6ft 7in forward who has BBL experience with the Manchester Giants and Birmingham Knights.

The double signing means Magic coach Paul Middleton is close to finalising his squad as the pre-season campaign prepares to get under way at home to a USA Select team in Monday (7.30pm).

Already on board are Stefan Gill, Jack Minister, Lee Goldsbrough, Kayin Darbey, Michael Anumba, Kaiyem Cleary, Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo, Hamad Ali and Yannick Onifade.

“After a year back in his home town of Ipswich for work experience, we are delighted to have Tyme Regent Bascombe back in red for another year as he re-starts his degree at MMU University,” said Middleton.

“Tyme is a versatile forward who brings quickness, athleticism and a great attitude to the team. I think he is ready to make a big contribution to the team.”

As for Lewis, Middleton added: “I am really pleased to have him sign this year. He has shown a great work ethic and intensity on defence throughout pre-season and, given time, I think he will give us another offensive threat inside.

“He has integrated himself really well and that is very important to me, as we always try to build a great team environment with good characters.”

Manchester Magic have confirmed that Hamad Ali and Yannick Onifade will be part of their NBL Division One squad for 2016/17.

Coach Paul Middleton says the 6ft 5in Ali, 18, will be a key player at “both ends of the floor” after coming through the Magic ranks, while fellow forward Onifade, 26, was a member of the all-conquering squad that won all four trophies it competed for last season.

“It is great to have Hamad back again as he starts his senior career with the club he has been with since the beginning,” said Middleton.

“Hamad was looking into options in the United States but we are delighted to have him back and look forward to a big contribution from him this year as a senior player.

“He can help us on both ends of the floor as he has developed a good outside game while being able to use his strong frame to good use on defence.”

Middleton describes 6ft 7in Onifade as “a coach’s dream”, adding: “He has a fantastic attitude and he provided real competition for the other big guys, pushing them every single night.

“Hopefully this year we can give Yannick a more significant role in games and his experience last year should help him massively.”

Ali and Onifade join Stefan Gill, Jack Minister, Lee Goldsbrough, Kayin Darbey, Michael Anumba, Kaiyen Cleary and Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo.

Magic begin their pre-season campaign at home to a USA Select team on Monday, 5 September (7.30pm tip).

England Under-16 international Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo is the latest promising youngster to be officially unveiled as a Manchester Magic player for the 2016/17 NBL Division One season.

The 6ft 5in forward, who is 16, will join fellow teenagers Michael Anumba and Kaiyem Cleary on the roster, together with established stars Jack Minister, Kayin Darbey, Lee Goldsbrough and Stefan Gill.

Emeka-Anyako has been on England duty this summer, helping the team to fifth spot in Division B of the European Championships.

He averaged 19.8 minutes, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 points per game.

“Arinze is a real talent with good athleticism and a great attitude,” said Magic coach Paul Middleton.

“We have high expectations for him over the next couple of years and I look forward to seeing how he progresses in the senior environment.”

Further squad announcements will follow in the next few days.

Magic begin their pre-season campaign at home to a USA Select team in Monday, 5 September (7.30pm tip)

Photo credit: FIBA.com