Teesside Lions enjoyed many 'Stand Out' moments at the 2025 Presentation Evening, with memories being made and achievements recognised for the past season, as well as motivation encouraged ahead of the new season.

The snaking queues forming outside, prior to the doors opening at 5.30pm stood out in the first instance as more than 375 players, family and friends gathered at The Hub in the centre of Campus Heart, Teesside University.

More than £2,000 was spent on the trophies alone with just over 275 trophies, medals and awards being presented. Dave Smith, founder of acclaimed digital branding company Ryze, Professor Mark Simpson, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Teesside University, and John Harding, Chair of Durham League presented some awards as special guests.

The early awards were dedicated to the popular Tribal League with both Mini and Junior Divisions recognising stellar performances from numerous players across the season. One Stand Out was Jensen Donkin who won the Top Scorer award with 253pts for the Mini Stags, 19pts ahead of the Rhinos' Sam Macaulay. Donkin has shown impressive skills on a persistent basis across the season. His technique and ability has improved tremendously earning him the Mini Tribal League Most Valuable Player alongside the talented Sam Macaulay in a fitting tribute to two boys for which basketball means so much.

Donkin also collected the Mini Community Session MVP for his dedication and development at training sessions.

In the Junior Tribal League it was another two young players who stole the show as Seth Curry and Jaden Johnson picked up season MVP awards in their first year within the Junior Tribal League, following their promotion from the Mini League. Curry was also a league Champion with The Tigers, and second top in scoring with 285pts, behind u14 star Aiden Bunn on 337pts for The Rams.

The biggest roar of the night was for 15 year old Jixi Zheng who collected Junior Tribal League Most Improved Player.

With so many stars, 30 players made the Mini and Junior Tribal League All Star Teams, while a new category of Team MVP was also created this year to recognise the significant development and achievements of so many within individual teams.

Teesside Lions Coach James Thomson said:

"This year we had a few new categories and most significant was the Team MVP for 24 teams across the Tribal League. This was a huge addition to the cost of the event, but I felt there were too many players excelling on a regular basis to only have a league MVP. We needed team MVP'S, and even then there were some difficult decisions."

The Players Player award is a Stand Out category as it is voted by the players within each team. This is not necessarily the best player, it could be a player one enjoys being around, a motivator or a supportive team mate who has left a positive impression. 

In previous years, there were often one player winning multiple awards, but credit to the depth of talent being nurtured across the teams this is becoming a rarity.

One of the biggest Stand Out success stories of the season has been the U12 programme which has featured four teams, including a girls team playing in a predominantly boys league. The Red Lions were undefeated champions and at one point of the season Lions teams were first, second, third and fourth as the Girls showed their improvements, resilience and ability chasing second place until the last game of the season where they finished third in a remarkable step of improvement from the previous season where they lost almost all their games.

The Stand Out Team of The Year was awarded to the U14 National League boys Team who were undefeated across their league campaign, and even beat Prem side Oakland Wolves in a post season friendly.

The Lion of The Year, is a special award that recognises those who go well above and beyond. Players, officials, supporters. This can be anyone, and as each nominee was announced, the names were met with nods of agreement as people acknowledged the significant roles these individuals play in the successful operation of the club. The final name was Sophie Simms, and she was announced as a most deserving winner. 

Sophie was a key player in the girls u12, u16 and even Durham Ladies leagues, while she also supported stats collation on a weekly basis at The Tribal League. The budding role model to so many girls around the club was also successful in reaching the North Super Region Trials within the Aspire programme.

In the latter stages, Standing Out in their 6'7 frames were Charlie McKenna and Jaydon Wise Malcolm who have achieved incredible success via the club system. 19 year old Charlie began as an 8 year old player with Teesside, and is the first player from the club to sign a USA College team. Charlie was awarded a full scholarship at Williston College, USA.

Jaydon Wise-Malcom is the first player from the club to be called up to represent Great Britain. Jaydon has only been with the club for two years, but his development has been a 90 degree angle as opposed to a curve. The athletic wing is a credit to his family, one of the biggest prospects at the club and even won Most Improved Player for the National League Mens team.

The entertainment Stood Out as George Williamson had the room on its feet swaying to Sweet Caroline, and Carl Donkin serenaded Teesside with Purple Rain prior to a breakdancing feat. One of the funniest moments was Josh Thomson with his version of the one word song 'Tequila' on the karaoke.

Finally the members of the audience Stood Out as venue capacity was stretched and configuration had to be rearranged to squeeze in additional guests. A great problem to have, but a problem that will need addressing next year as the club, number of awards, and length of presentation is becoming a concern due to the clubs success in size, development and achievement. 

The likely solution is hosting the Tribal League Awards in September as part of the Pre Season Party, and the Teesside Lions awards in May. Splitting the awards will allow breathing space and more enjoyment of the night without compromising any aspects.

Overall, the 2025 Presentation Evening Stood Out as the biggest and best yet.

Well done everyone of the nominees, and eventual winners, and well done to everyone who attended and made the event a memorable one. Well done to everyone who supported the event including the great staff at Teesside Uni Student Union, and the tireless work of Cuff Photography who captured the memories to last an eternity.