The England U15 Girls team will be competing in the first Georgia Jones Tournament taking place this September.
The Tournament will be held at the National Basketball Performance Centre, the base of the Manchester Mystics WBBL side for which Jones plays, and is for under 15 girls (girls born in 2005 or later), with participating teams from across the UK and Ireland competing.
"Celebrating one of our female GB players by attending this tournament is a privilege and extremely inspirational to our girls in the England Talent Programmes (ETP)," said Steve Bucknall, Basketball England's Technical and Talent Performance Manager. "We hope the tournament will help to support their dreams of putting on the GB jersey one day and represent their nation at the highest level, just as Georgia has achieved. We look forward to a great competitive experience in Manchester."
Speaking about the Tournament's formation, Joe Forber, Director of girls coaching, said, "Our Club felt that there was a major gap in the calendar for girls competitive basketball so we decided to organise an U15 Tournament with invitations going to the best Clubs from Scotland and Ireland. The England U15 team quickly expressed a wish to play which gives the Tournament extra kudos.
"We decided that pre-season was the best time for the tournament and were very grateful that BE and Manchester City Council immediately indicated their support.
"Because Georgia had come through our Club system many, many years ago and has shown what can be done at the top level with dedication and ambition, she was the obvious choice to put her name to the Tournament. Her success at Club level, top College USA, European Club and GB Ladies is an example to all young girls aspiring to do well in basketball.
"Just as importantly, she has done it with class at all times, showing top standards in everything she does, both on and off the floor – a true role model for all girls."
Georgia Jones acknowledged the important role the Mystics played in her career and the pride at having a tournament named in her honour, saying "It is an honour to have this tournament named after me. Manchester set the foundation to all I have achieved in my career and is the place I really fell in love with the sport. I have always been very proud to be a part of this club and the opportunities it creates for players. This tournament is another great example of that and I’m so pleased we are providing girls with another competitive outlet to play basketball."
The squad for September's tournament will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on the Georgia Jones Tournament, including the schedule and game times, please use the button below:
