MANCHESTER Giants has become the first professional sports club to join the TRAFFORDCITY member group of attractions.

With less than a week to go until the start of the new British Basketball League season, the Giants have been busy off-the-court building relationships with the plethora of businesses and attractions in the area.

TRAFFORDCITY is the destination brand name for the area encompassing intu Trafford Centre and the surrounding 3.5 million square feet of retail, leisure and office space, which includes the home of the Giants at the Lucozade Powerleague Sportsdome. Glasgow Rocks are the first team to visit. TRAFFORDCITY for a full BBL season game on Sunday, September 25 (5pm tip).

Giants business manager, James Gordon, said: “The TRAFFORDCITY area is full of fantastic brands and locations, of which we are proud to be part of.

“Engaging with all of these brands and also the people and employees of all the businesses in the region is crucial for the growth of Manchester Giants and us continuing to impact on the local community.

“We have a fantastic opportunity to grow the club and become stronger on and off the court, and every partnership we are able to forge, particularly local, helps us on that journey.”

James was part of the latest TRAFFORDCITY forum, which was held last week at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Kate Holland, from The Peel Group, which manages the TRAFFORDCITY marketing group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Manchester Giants to our group of TRAFFORDCITY member brands.

"TRAFFORDCITY is continuing to evolve as a destination and it will gain further strength through forging partnerships such as these with Manchester Giants.”