Bristol Academy Flyers spread their tentacles far and wide in search of players capable of keeping pace with recent successes on the court.

But unearthing local talent and offering them a stepping stone to greater things remains an integral part of what the club is all about.

Four of the current senior team that last month lifted the National Cup following a surprise victory over hot favourites Manchester Magic came through the Filton College Academy programme.

The quartet included two of the club's more recent success stories in the shape of local boys Greg Streete, 21, from Easton and Tyrone Treasure, 21, from Stoke Gifford.

Flyers' skipper Streete and shooting guard Treasure both joined the club at aged 15 before enlisting on the Filton College Academy programme to pursue National Diplomas in Sports Science alongside the chance to play competitive basketball over a three-year period.

"I started playing with the Filton Flyers when I was 15 and carried on through the whole academy programme at the college," he said .

Streete a former Whitfield School pupil has represented England at Under-15 and Under-18 level during his time at Filton.

He said: "It was great for me because our training times were scheduled around our lectures.

"The chance to play basketball acts as a massive motivation to work hard in the classroom.

"I also don't think I would have travelled all the way out to Filton to do a college course if it wasn't for the basketball opportunities.

"I graduated to the senior team in the season after they won the National League Division Three title and have been involved ever since.

"In that time we have made it to the final four play-offs in National League Division One and have recently won the National Cup against Manchester Magic which was a great achievement."

Hot prospect Treasure – born in New Jersey but living in Stoke Gifford since the age of 13 – also followed the same path as Streete.

Last summer he was offered a basketball scholarship at Panola College in Texas after an impressive tournament representing Great Britain Under-20 in the European Championships.

"I have been with the Flyers through all of the development teams after moving over from America in 2002," Treasure explained.

"I was offered a scholarship at Panola College in Texas in the summer but the first few months didn't really turn out how I wanted it to.

"I had really enjoyed playing for the Flyers so I decided to come back and finish this campaign in Bristol and figure out what my options are for next season."

Those options could include a return to the States on a more suitable college programme or the offer to join a professional club in the top-flight British Basketball League.

Point guard Streete, too, has not given up on a dream to quit his 9-5 existence as a call centre adviser in the city centre to pursue a full-time career on the hardcourt.

"I don't get paid for what I am doing here," Streete said. "I do it because I love the game. If I could quit my daytime job to play basketball professionally it would be like a dream come true."