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		GREAT EXPECTATIONS   CIA believe this year's team are capable of challenging for the top spot in the London Premier Division and are calling on the support of the local Merton community to do it. The Mitcham-based squad had a disappointing start to last season falling to the worst record in their 13-year history after a spate of season-ending injuries to key players but remarkably they bounced back to finish fifth. This season the squad has been bolstered considerably with the addition of a number of experienced, national league players, many of whom were on show at the Family Festival in May. BBL newcomer 6'8" Xavier Lutaaya, National League stars Leon Bernard and Tayo Odulaja and former CIA crowd favourite Darryl Lewis are all rumoured to be a part of the squad whilst 6'5" Daniel Montague will return from injury. Three newcomers are also set to be introduced. The team will plan to start the season with several pre-season friendlies taking place in September. Opponents are yet to be announced, one of which is expected to be the EBL Division One London Leopards. They'll also compete in the prestigious Founders Cup competition that will see far more games at the Canons Leisure Centre this season. CIA have been working to ensure the gamenight experience is of the highest quality for the forthcoming season and Promotions Manager and point guard Luke Bowler believes it'll be worth it to see the Merton community getting behind the team. "The crowd play such an important role in our season and it's important they're catered for. There'll be some great stuff going on at our games this season so we'd encourage anyone in the area interested in basketball to get behind the team and help us bring some silverware to Mitcham."