CIPHER Medical has been firmly placed in the sporting spotlight as the new headline sponsor of Teesside Lions.

Teesside proudly unveiled their new sponsor in front of 650 fans at the weekend win over Calderdale Explorers. Stockton based CIPHER have signed a long-term agreement that will provide financial stability and cooperative support for the ambitious National League basketball club.

CIPHER are no strangers to sporting events as they provide medical support for major events across the UK including international football, rugby, cricket & marathons. They also provide medical support for events such as Tough Mudder and major concerts which in 2022 included acts such as Ed Sheeran, Michael Buble and Elton John.

The initial three-year arrangement is being hailed as the biggest sponsorship package in the club’s 15-year history.

James Thomson, chairman of Teesside Lions was pleased to reveal the CIPHER presence around Eston Arena and on the front of the team jersey’s at the weekend in what he claimed was another milestone in a transformative couple of years for the club.

James, 43 from Middlesbrough, said: “It is a difficult time for anyone to secure sponsorship due to the current financial climate. Costs are rising all around us and the club is facing pressures to maintain what we believe is a very good service at an affordable cost.

“We provide community training sessions in addition to the spectator orientated events and are aware of the struggles people are facing. The support CIPHER are providing will go towards maintaining these low prices where children can enjoy basketball for as little as £3 per session and enjoy an afternoon of family orientated top class sporting entertainment for just £16 per family.

“Securing this significant support from a major Teesside based company is fantastic news for us and everyone involved with the club. We can already see many people taking an interest in CIPHER due to the association and its yet another milestone in our ambitious journey.”

CIPHER provide a range of services to the health care industry including ambulance support for the NHS and their newly launched physiotherapy clinic.

Less well known is the company’s state of the art education facilities which provides training and qualification opportunities for emergency services, local businesses and the community.

Andy Thomas, CEO of CIPHER Medical attended the weekend game with a group of colleagues and was impressed with the Teesside Lions as a group and as a presentation.

The Consultant Paramedic who started CIPHER six years ago said: “I am pleased to support Teesside Lions and their ambitions to develop basketball in the area.

“I am impressed with the club, their community work, junior development programmes and of course the main events of the senior Teesside Lions. The opportunity to become the headline sponsor was a nice way to give back to the community and recognise all the hard work that goes on at the club.

“I am looking forward to supporting the Lions both on and off the court, not just with the finance, but also with areas such as our physio department and staff development.

“I recognise James’ desire to maintain affordability to people across the area and it is rewarding for us to have been involved in achieving this goal. The events are great entertainment with an exciting atmosphere and the fact it costs just £16 for the family ticket is admirable in the current cost of living crisis. Furthermore, we aim to work with the club on various community engagement projects in what is a core principle of the our organisation in given back to our community”

In what has been described as sharing skillsets and expertise, CIPHER will also provide their state of the art education and training facility in Stockton to the club for staff and coach professional development.

CIPHER provide a range of training courses such as First Aid, Defibrillator training, safeguarding and medical profession CPD including scenario re-enactments in their immersive virtual reality suite.

For more information on CIPHER Medical and its services, visit www.CIPHERmedical.com If you are interested in playing or watching basketball visit TeessideLions.com

Photos Credit: Dawn McNamara