It is always very easy to say how great a club is and what we do is brilliant, but you could argue we would say that.

Well we asked former players, parents of players, former and current work colleagues, so you would get an idea of what Storm is all about

Please see below, also follow links to some of the lengthier comments

Christian Barnett – Former Junior

I played as a guard for bristol storm between the ages of 13-17, for 4 years.

The most valuable lesson I took from those years at bristol storm under Ric hampton, Tracie and Steve Brocklehurst,

was self-discipline, relentless hard work, humbleness and maturity. These attributes which are paramount to the chances of success in today’s race of life.  I learned these qualities via the relentless and unforgiving training regimes put into place by Coach Brock. Sometimes it seemed as if we weren’t there to play basketball,  but only to run and jump and crunch and push up our way into complete muscle seizures and a floor made slippery by the team member’s sweat.

With my developed sense of discipline, I took my-self to university/college in the U.S. at age 17, leaving bristol storm behind, with the hopes of returning one day with smarter basketball sense, and funds for the bristol storm program… something that had always held us as a franchise down, due to lack of support from any council/government or any kind of organization. As far as I know, it was mostly out of Steve’s pocket and subs from players (which most players we’re unwilling or reluctant to pay).

I attempted to play at a small NCAA Div 2 college colled Mercy College and work my way up. At a college that offered an Art & Animation course  However the USA came with many un-forseen hurdles that would not allow me to get the right amount of court-time to make it worth the while. The hurdles came mostly in the form of financial issues. My workload from the animation course was immense and the team I played for was made up of extremely immature adults that liked to talk the big talk in practice and fight amongst one another in the guise of “the passion for the game makes us fight each other on the floor”. But then quite happily lose every real game by 20 or more points.

After the first year I was disheartened and ready to drop-out, a transfer to another college was out of the question due to finances. It seemed as if I had put all my eggs in one basket and dropped that basket from a very high height. I learned that I did not like basketball itself as much as I liked what bristol storm was doing. Reclusive activities like animation and drawing and creating visual art was always my first and true passion. I realized the only way I can play or be involved in basketball is with Coach Brock. Someone who see’s eye-to-eye with me beyond simply playing basketball.

However the supervisor of the animation course Josh Gaetjen liked what I was doing on that side of things, and offered to have the school pay my rent for me while I got through the course.

during the rest of the course, My and my oldest brother who had been hustling for years before I left for america, and during that time, officially registered our own digital multi-media company named “DreamBaked” in 2012.

Where I Am now

I have now graduated from Mercy college with honors in the Art and Animation program (Like getting a 1st in the UK).

I stil live in New York, in the South Bronx Area with my girlfriend I met at Mercy in my 2nd year. But I work remotely from here with my brother at DreamBaked while I help my girlfriend see to her career as a lawyer in Manhattan in any way I can, be it cooking cleaning and holding the apartment down because it is near the law firm she works at.

I am currently focused on the development of our company; DreamBaked with my oldest brother and a couple of other close ties.

We got our office location in Bristol years back, and in my time in New York with some help from a good friend I have been working with out here,

We have managed to secure an Office location Upstate in New York which will enable us to hold a branch here in New York opening a new door of possibility for us.

Our main focus at Dreambaked is the development of video games. Independently we are working on the development of our next upcoming game that we seek to really spend a lot of time on and hit big with. Given the years of practice we have already put into the development of games.

We also deal with website and App development and many forms of design work to bring in money for the company while we develop games.

Something me and coach b=Brock used to always discuss and dream about is finding an official sponsor for the club that would get us our own space to train at, and the funding needed to be a threat in the British Basketball Leagues.  Now it is in my vision to acutally become that sponsor and see my companies named printed alongside the Bristol storm emblem on the players kits.

Whitney Thompson – Former Junior

Bristol storm took me in as a member of their team when I was 14. Although I had a rocky start in the beginning, I soon found my feet. Storm taught me to be loud, respectful and interactive to those around me. This team didn’t just support me in basketball but school and any issues at home I may have had. I say team, because their is no ‘i’ in team, I was support for 5 season by this team and I am grateful for what they have have given me. Bristol storm is like family to me and it was great to play for a team like this, knowing they always had your back.

Tashon Wallace – Former Junior

Storm has allowed me to travel The south west and see city’s I would have never seen without basketball, as well as going to Belgium twice creating life long friendships!

Matt Pullen – Head of Boys PE, City Academy;

I first encountered Steve and Bristol Storm at the very start of my teaching career in Bristol.  I played basketball myself and could see the huge potential in the local community to have a team that supported students and give them fantastic opportunities.  Over several discussions we chatted about the huge potential that a schools/community programme would have.

David Boddy – Head of PE, St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School

Several years ago the Steve contacted St Mary Redcliffe school to suggest a link between the school and Storm and the students at St Mary Redcliffe have been extremely fortunate to benefit from this link ever since. Steve suggested running some extra basketball sessions for our students and as there were no specialist basketball players on the staff at Redcliffe we were very grateful for the extra support and coaching. Initially Steve ran all the sessions for us and we were very grateful for all his time and effort. He started with some after school sessions and as these proved so popular he then suggested doing an early morning session once a week. I was not sure how popular this early session would be but amazingly students turned up in great numbers to have a session before school started. Even students who struggled to get in for the normal start of school on other days managed to get in extra early those mornings. Through these sessions and Steve’s coaching the basketball continued to improve both in skills and popularity. Several students developed into excellent basketball players and have gone on to ply at higher levels. Through this surge in popularity we had need for more coaches and Tracey started working with the girls teams very successfully. we also had students coming up through the school who also started coaching. Thanks go to Dan Alarcon  and especially Phil George, ex-students who have put in a great deal of time and effort to keep the sessions going, plus several current students who play for Storm and also help out with our teams. We are currently grateful to have _____________ coaching our year 10 boys, whose fixtures start after Christmas.

Without a doubt the basketball at Redcliffe would have been a much less productive and enjoyable experience without the help of Storm and I thank all the players and coaches who have been involved for all their time and commitment. I hope the link will continue for many years to come

Emilie Ravn – Former player

Hey Steve! Sorry this is so late! Moving countries is so complicated and takes a hell of a lot of effort!! Thanks for your kind words! It has been a lovely experience here in the UK… I have you to thank for most of my friends and sanity through vet school!! If it wasn’t for storm I don’t think I would’ve lasted! Thanks. Congrats on the new baby! Hope you guys are well and keep in touch. If you need to send anything you can send it to my father’s house:

I came to the UK with not one friend, but left with over 30 thanks to Storm basketball. The club has created such an amazing opportunity for so many adults and youth alike- it is very inspiring to whiteness and be a part of. I appreciate Coach Brock’s relentless dedication to both the sport and his players. Go Storm!!

Gus Campbell – Former player

Bristol Storms impact on me…

I first joined storm when I was 12/13. It was after I had a basketball tournament at city academy for my school Bristol Met Academy. That was where Steve Brock convinced my parents to get me to come down to train one evening at Bristol storms u14’s boys. Which wasn’t an easy thing to do because I had gotten in trouble in school that week lol.

So after a month of basic fundamental training at storm u14’s boys, Eileen (our u14’s coach at the time) had Steve come and watch a few sessions to see how quickly I learned and progressed. So after training Steve pulled me a side, complimented me on how fast I’ve progressed in a short period of time and invited me to the u18’s training the following week. That was the first time I took serious interest in something and felt happy for being recognised for my hard work.

Next week came. I’ve been looking forward to training with the older boys and had been bragging to everyone at school about it all week, but was scared because I didn’t want to look like the annoying rookie that slowed the session down…which I was. The session was way more than basic fundamentals that I’ve just got used to. I remember ‘’tying my shoe lace’’ just to get out of doing a drill. After a few times of pulling that trick Steve caught on and shouted at me, which caused the team to run and do press ups… I definitely thought I was the hated rookie by that point.  But whenever I messed up a dribble/shot/lay up/pass or couldn’t understand a play the guys helped me, told me not to worry about it and that ill understand it with some practice. From then I felt like it was home. I’ve never been apart of a team before, well not like this anyway. It was more than a team; everyone was on the same page of understanding, respect and discipline with the game and each other. Then I knew Steve created a team that had the same morals as a family. If one messes up we all get punished for it. It was never playing catch up; if someone didn’t understand something we wouldn’t carry on and let them suffer we’d stop and bring the person up to speed.

I’ve always hated school and all the homework. I would get screamed at for not doing it but before I joined storm I had nothing to be taken away from me. And my parents saw how much I loved playing ball and being with the guys at storm, talking about basketball and messing around. So when I misbehaved after I joined storm they’d tell me I couldn’t go to training which killed me because all I wanted to do was be there lol.

Anyway I’m just trying to say joining Storm was the best decision I’ve made and ever will make. No doubt. If I haven’t of met Steve and the guys at storm I don’t think id be the person I am today. Being there changed me a lot and only in good ways. It gave me a purpose to life and great path to follow. And I only have Steve Brock to thank for accepting me into your Bristol Storm family and won’t ever forget it.

With thanks and appreciation,

Gus Campbell

Nicki Squire – Bristol Sports Development

Bristol Storm have been an integral part of the councils sport development programmes since 2006. The club is dedicated to supporting young people from Bristols inner city communities and beyond to achieve their potential, both in basketball and in life. The passionate volunteers spend time understanding the communities they work in and significantly contributing to improving young people’s lives through sport. The progression of Storm from 1 basketball team in 2006 to a multi sport, multi team club with pathways both in participation and leadership/coaching is a massive achievement.

Becca O’Neil – Access Sport

Bristol Storm have been a fantastic partner club with several of our Access Sport projects. The young people involved are always at the centre of the activities and are offered many further opportunities than just participating in a well run club. These include leadership, umpiring and coaching qualifications as well as work experience opportunities, ensuring the Bristol Storm participants are given excellent foundations in life skills as well as a quality basketball experience.

Neil Maggs – Bristol Sports Development

Bristol Storm are a unique sports club in inner city Bristol. I have worked extensively alongside the club for over a decade within the areas of sport development and media, and have seen it grow from strength to strength. The club has a pathway from grassroots participation with street based work and central venue leagues, right through to the elite with national league teams. Storm have maintained a welcoming and inclusive culture in the club that attracts young people from diverse backgrounds and in particular have excelled in their various programmes to successfully identify and nurture talent in areas of deprivation in the city. Through the training of volunteers, the club has build capacity in the local community and offered employment opportunities to young people. The club has recently expanded its offer to include netball, handball, and dodgeball, providing a holistic experience for participants. Under the vision of Steve Brocklehurst the club have paved the way for a model of good practice for all other sport clubs to replicate.