Home at Last as Hawks Prepare for Home Game Weekend
The West Yorkshire Hawks Men face a demanding two-game weekend as they return to the Hawks Nest on Saturday before travelling to the North East to face Cleveland Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday’s game against Nottingham Hoods will be the Hawks’ first home appearance of the 2026/27 season, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30pm at the University of Huddersfield.
The Hawks enter the weekend with momentum after opening their campaign with a hard-fought 73–71 victory away to Manchester Giants. Head Coach Adrian Willey is now looking forward to leading the team in front of its home crowd for the first time.
Willey said: “Saturday is a game I’ve been looking forward to since taking on the role as Head Coach of the West Yorkshire Hawks.”
“After opening the season with a hard-fought win away at Manchester Giants, we’re excited to return home for the first time this season and welcome everyone back to the Hawks Nest.”
Nottingham Hoods will present another difficult test. Willey expects a talented and well-organised opponent capable of capitalising on any loss of concentration from the Hawks.
He continued: “They’re a talented club with a strong basketball culture and a squad capable of punishing teams if you lose your discipline for even a few possessions. We’ll need to respect that challenge while staying true to who we are.”
The Hawks will continue developing the offensive and defensive systems introduced during pre-season while building the chemistry already evident during their opening victory.
“Our focus won’t change,” Willey said. “We want to play our game offensively and defensively, continue developing our systems and keep building the chemistry within this group. Every game is another opportunity to understand each other better and play for each other.”
Saturday will also provide another opportunity for players from the University of Huddersfield Hounds programme to earn valuable minutes at senior level.
Willey added: “I’m looking forward to seeing players from the Hounds programme continue to earn important minutes and bring that Hounds energy, intensity and togetherness onto the floor. Seeing that pathway develop is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Following Saturday evening’s game, the Hawks will have little time to recover before travelling to face Cleveland Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
Willey acknowledged the challenge of playing twice in quick succession but wants his team to approach both fixtures positively and continue building on its winning start.
Before attention turns to Sunday, however, the Hawks will need the home crowd behind them.
“We’re going to be in front of our home crowd, which is absolutely massive for us,” Willey said. “They’re going to be our sixth man on Saturday, and we need them now more than ever.”
“Home games should feel different. We want the Hawks Nest to become a place where our fans, families, students and local community get behind this team and give us energy from the opening tip.”
The Hawks face Nottingham Hoods at 6:30pm on Saturday 26 September at the University of Huddersfield.
Book your tickets now and use code Hawks15 for discounted entry! Get your tickets here.
Home at Last as Hawks Prepare for Home Game Weekend
The West Yorkshire Hawks Men face a demanding two-game weekend as they return to the Hawks Nest on Saturday before travelling to the North East to face Cleveland Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday’s game against Nottingham Hoods will be the Hawks’ first home appearance of the 2026/27 season, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30pm at the University of Huddersfield.
The Hawks enter the weekend with momentum after opening their campaign with a hard-fought 73–71 victory away to Manchester Giants. Head Coach Adrian Willey is now looking forward to leading the team in front of its home crowd for the first time.
Willey said: “Saturday is a game I’ve been looking forward to since taking on the role as Head Coach of the West Yorkshire Hawks.”
“After opening the season with a hard-fought win away at Manchester Giants, we’re excited to return home for the first time this season and welcome everyone back to the Hawks Nest.”
Nottingham Hoods will present another difficult test. Willey expects a talented and well-organised opponent capable of capitalising on any loss of concentration from the Hawks.
He continued: “They’re a talented club with a strong basketball culture and a squad capable of punishing teams if you lose your discipline for even a few possessions. We’ll need to respect that challenge while staying true to who we are.”
The Hawks will continue developing the offensive and defensive systems introduced during pre-season while building the chemistry already evident during their opening victory.
“Our focus won’t change,” Willey said. “We want to play our game offensively and defensively, continue developing our systems and keep building the chemistry within this group. Every game is another opportunity to understand each other better and play for each other.”
Saturday will also provide another opportunity for players from the University of Huddersfield Hounds programme to earn valuable minutes at senior level.
Willey added: “I’m looking forward to seeing players from the Hounds programme continue to earn important minutes and bring that Hounds energy, intensity and togetherness onto the floor. Seeing that pathway develop is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Following Saturday evening’s game, the Hawks will have little time to recover before travelling to face Cleveland Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
Willey acknowledged the challenge of playing twice in quick succession but wants his team to approach both fixtures positively and continue building on its winning start.
Before attention turns to Sunday, however, the Hawks will need the home crowd behind them.
“We’re going to be in front of our home crowd, which is absolutely massive for us,” Willey said. “They’re going to be our sixth man on Saturday, and we need them now more than ever.”
“Home games should feel different. We want the Hawks Nest to become a place where our fans, families, students and local community get behind this team and give us energy from the opening tip.”
The Hawks face Nottingham Hoods at 6:30pm on Saturday 26 September at the University of Huddersfield.
Book your tickets now and use code Hawks15 for discounted entry! Get your tickets here.