Fab Flournoy happy to strut stuff for charity
Nov 17 2010 by Matthew Leslie, The Journal
IT was suits for hoops last night as Newcastle Eagles boss Fab Flournoy strutted his stuff on the catwalk for charity.
The player-coach took time out from basketball to give something back to the community, joining a host of Sunderland footballers at a Stadium of Light fashion show in aid of the Wearsiders’ charity foundation, which helps disadvantaged children build and improve upon both educational and social skills.
Last night’s show, titled “Fashion Strikes”, will help to generate funds to develop sports, education and community projects in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Durham.
Flournoy is no stranger in helping out a good cause and saw it as an honour to do his bit – although beforehand he was hoping those dishing out the gear would have him wearing something not too loud.
He smiled: “Maybe when I was younger I would have insisted on seeing the wardrobe before agreeing to do it.
“So I’m going into this one blind and if one or two of the outfits are a bit outrageous then I’ll happily take it with a pinch of salt because in the end, events like this are not about who was wearing what but to promote the fine work the foundation does in helping kids not as fortunate as others.
“I do a lot of things and events for charities throughout the year and this is something that I’m delighted to give my support to.
“As a sportsman, I know I’m very fortunate to be in a position to help and I like to do what I can to give something back to the wider community.
“This will be my first time on the catwalk and I’m looking forward to it – although I wouldn’t bank on me quitting my day job to pursue modelling as another career.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle Eagles owner Paul Blake has revealed the club has received an approach from Great Britain cap Rob Yanders offering his services.
Yanders, of course, has spent the past five years as captain of Eagles’ BBL rivals Glasgow Rocks, but has been without a club since failing to agree a new deal with the Scottish side.
The Eagles nearly signed Yanders over a year ago, but Blake revealed they will not do so this time.
He said: “Rob has been in touch with us but, reluctantly, we’ve had to reject his services.
“We have a number of guards in Trey (Moore), Joe (Chapman) and Andre (Lockhart) and with a player like Yanders, we couldn’t guarantee him the amount of court minutes that someone of his calibre is used to, lest we upset the apple-cart with our roster of guards.”
Blake also revealed that the circumstances surrounding youngster Aaron Nielsen’s suspension have been resolved and that the player is back training with the squad.
