The former England senior and junior men's head coach has joined Thunder from Reading Rockets, whom he led to the EBL Division 1 title, National Cup, National Trophy and Championship Play-Offs last season with a 36-0 record.

Titmuss is looking forward to the challenge at Thunder, and said: "I was delighted to accept the position of head coach with Worthing Thunder and I'm really looking forward to playing my part in helping the club flourish in the years ahead.

"I think all successful organisations are built with good people who are committed to a common goal. I'm convinced that the Worthing BBL franchise is in great hands and has a bright future."

Recognised as a "World Class Coach" by UK Sport, Coach Titmuss is widely respected within the basketball fraternity and it is hoped that he will push Worthing to the next stage in their BBL ambitions. The team won 10 league games last season and just missed out on the play-offs.

Titmuss said: "I know about the financial restraints that exist – especially in today's economic climate – but the club is working hard to develop its commercial base and, in the meantime, we will maximise the available resources for the 2009-10 season, while at the same time building for the future.

"My first job is to lay the foundations for on-court success, starting with putting the squad together, changing the performance culture at the club and introducing a technical programme that reflects the modern game."

Club Operations Director Alan Sweetman-Hicks explains how the club came to the decision to appoint Coach Titmuss: "Having had applications from all around the globe, including the USA, Australia and Denmark, as well as some of the top names in the UK, the club has gone for a coach with proven experience at the highest level, and with a reputation for building successful programmes at all levels.

"We have a thriving junior programme and links with local universities, schools and colleges and we felt that Coach Titmuss was the right man to help us pull all the strands together and make Thunder one of the top sides in the country, with a strong community base, which is essential for the club's survival"

Titmuss is under no illusions about the role he is undertaking, but is confident that he can help the team progress: "It's going to be tough. But if our guys can excel at playing together at both ends of the floor, if they commit to doing what it takes to win, then we'll have a team that supporters and everyone associated with Thunder will appreciate and be proud of."

Worthing Thunder's 2009-10 BBL season tips off with the Thunder Cup on September 19 at Worthing Leisure Centre.

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