The Bristol Academy Flyers believe a place in the top-flight British Basketball League and a switch to professional status are realistic future ambitions.

The Filton College-based outfit have won three of their first four league games and have also booked a place in the quarter-finals of the National Cup to cap a promising start to the current campaign.

The team sit fourth in National League Division One and director of basketball Danny James is confident that the Flyers will be able to maintain their place among the early-season pacesetters for the duration of the campaign.

That would offer the part-time side a chance to contest the end of season play-offs and put them in a better position to be eventually recognised as a serious contender for top-flight status by the British Basketball League's organisers.

James said: "The team that has been recruited this year is probably the strongest that has ever played for the club.

"The last three years has been about consolidation at this level and now we are looking to push on and finish in the top four and potentially win some silverware."

With no automatic promotion and relegation between the top-flight and National Division One, however, The Flyers would need to apply and be approved by the BBL if they are to ever make the step up.

James added: "We would need to become a fully professional team and all the staff would have to work full-time. The potential for us to do that is certainly there. It (professionalism) is the next step for us and definitely in our thoughts."

The side is skippered by Easton-based Guard Greg Streete, 21, and James said:

"He has come through the learning and development programme at the college and has played for England and Great Britain at junior level; He is a great prospect."

The Flyers return to action against the Sheffield Arrows at the Filton College Wise Campus arena on Saturday and tickets are priced: £4 (adults); £2 (Under 16's, Students with NUS card and other concessions); and £8 (Family Ticket – two adults and two children).