Bunyan hopes to get Gladiators 'back fighting'
Jonny Bunyan hopes to get Caledonia Gladiators' men's team "back to where it should be" after being appointed head coach.The 33-year-old had returned to the club as interim boss in January, replacing Robbie Peers. The East Kilbride-based team ultimately missed out on last season's play-offs.Bunyan was captain when the Gladiators won the Super League Basketball Trophy final in 2023.The point guard made more than 400 Gladiators appearances and represented Scotland, leaving the Playsport Arena for Falkirk Fury in 2024."I'm really honoured to be taking on the role of head coach at the Caledonia Gladiators - a team I've had such a huge connection with over the years," said Bunyan.
"The club means a lot to me and my family – my brother Keith played for the club for six years and also lifted silverware here – and we've supported the club my whole life. It's like a second home for me."It was a tough season for our men's team last season, but I'm determined to improve results and see us perform to the levels I know we're capable of."The aim now is to get the club back to where it should be – fighting for championships and back up towards the top of the league, putting in good performances in front of our home crowd."Chief executive Tony McDaid added: "Everybody at the club has been hugely impressed by Jonny since he stepped into the head coach role earlier this year."He has a real command of the dressing room and we view Jonny as a natural fit for this role longer term. We know Jonny is a real fan favourite and we hope this news will be well received by fans as we look forward to the new season."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The making of the 'monster': Jack Draper left Chelsea's academy and told his parents he had to quit school before his relentless drive to the top... those who helped him get there reveal secrets behind his success
There's a fabulous, untold yarn about Jack Draper that tells us a little about his backhand and far more about his mind. It is also why the sharer of this tale uses 'savage' as a term of endearment. To get there, we must go back 13 years, to when Draper was 10 and his coach at the time felt a tweak was necessary.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Footy star Josh Papalii misses birth of his son as Raiders march to top of NRL ladder - 'unbelievable sacrifice'
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has hailed the 'unbelievable sacrifice' of Josh Papalii's wife, after she gave her blessing for the veteran prop to miss the birth of their son so he could play against the Knights on Friday night. Sepa Salesa welcomed the couple's fourth child - Jeremiah Papalii - into the world just hours before kick-off, and it didn't go unnoticed by a thankful Stuart. 'The reason I have Paps here today, an unbelievable sacrifice from Sepa - Josh's wife - who had a baby boy this afternoon, Jeremiah,' Stuart told reporters at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle at the post-game press conference. 'It was always going to be touch and go whether Sepa could hang on or what not, but she wanted Josh to go away and play. 'It was an unbelievable sacrifice from a new mother.' Papalii - who chalked up 106 running metres and made 31 tackles as the Raiders won 22-18 to become the new NRL ladder leaders - said he was 'pretty excited' and was 'looking forward to checking on the wife and holding my new son.' Papalii - who chalked up 106 running metres and made 31 tackles as the Raiders won 22-18 in Newcastle - said he was 'looking forward to checking on the wife and holding my new son' 'I told 'Sticky' at the start of the week that she was sort of due around Friday,' he added. 'I also told the boys that my missus said make sure we come home with the two points and she'll deliver the baby. 'I'm glad both happened.' It comes as Papalii prepares to leave the club at the end of the season, with St Helens his destination next year in the English Super League. 'Papa came and spoke to (CEO) Don Furner and I some time ago and told us that he has some interest in England and also other NRL he simply said, 'I can't play against the Raiders,' Stuart told News Corp. 'From our club's point of view, we couldn't be prouder of Josh. 'He's been an extremely loyal player and when the discussion turns to legends of the Raiders, one of the first names spoken will be Papa's.' Papalii, 33, made his NRL debut with Canberra in 2011 and is now the club's most capped player. The prop's form has been so impressive this season that he could earn a recall for Queensland ahead of the Origin series decider on July 9 in Sydney.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
ESPN star Peter Rosenberg sparks new Caitlin Clark 'race' storm with claim about NBA prospect Cooper Flagg
Caitlin Clark has been dragged into yet another debate about race after Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the NBA draft. The 18-year-old, considered one of the most exciting prospects of recent times, was taken by the Dallas Mavericks with the No 1 pick this week. Flagg has been tipped to become a basketball superstar, much like Caitlin Clark, who has lifted the WNBA to new heights since joining the Indiana Fever. But Clark has also become a lightning rod for discussions around race since joining the league, with some accusing her rivals of bullying and jealousy, while others have suggested she benefits from 'white privilege'. Now the WNBA star finds herself at the center of another storm after ESPN analyst Peter Rosenberg compared her and Flagg. Rosenberg was accused of 'race-baiting' during his appearance on First Take, when he discussed Flagg's potential impact in the NBA. Peter Rosenberg: "Cooper Flagg is a white guy, maybe the best white American prospect since Larry Bird. Let's not act as if we don't live in America and we're not seeing what's happening with Caitlin Clark in the WNBA... if he's nearly as good as people expect... no one's going… — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025 'We're all adults, we can have a real-life conversation,' he said. 'Last time I checked, we still live in America. Cooper Flagg is a white guy, maybe the best white American prospect since Larry Bird. 'Let's not act as if we don't live in America and we're not seeing what's happening with Caitlin Clark in the WNBA. 'Cooper Flagg is going to be an instant impact player in the NBA. He is ready to go. That kid could play right now. 'If he's nearly as good as people expect then I think when it comes to "intrigue" - that people are talking about day to day - no one is going to be more intriguing and get more eyeballs than Cooper Flagg in Dallas.' But Rosenberg came under fire from some basketball fans for bringing up race. 'Caitlin Clark isn't getting attention because she's white, she's getting attention because she's a generational talent,' one said on social media. 'Cooper Flagg is intriguing because he's the best college basketball player we've seen in a long time Why does ESPN always have to make it about race?' Another fan echoed those thoughts, claiming it was 'sad' and 'pitiful' that race had been brought into the conversation. 'This is very cringe, ESPN should be ashamed of themselves,' a third said. But others defended Rosenberg. 'He's right,' said one fan, while another agreed that Clark is being treated differently because she is white.
