Become a member

The London Coaches Program is a partnership funded by the Mayor of London and the National Basketball Association (NBA) and delivered by Basketball England

It was delivered during an initial three-year program, between 2023 and 2025, to create a managed network of development, training and delivery opportunities for 500 new community coaches aged 16 to 30. 

The program is be free for those selected to take part. 

The application for the fifth cohort of coaches closed in May 2025, and no further cohorts are planned at this time.

Participants receive a 12-month education and training program, covering all the elements needed to become a great coach both on and off the basketball court including:

  • Basketball England community coach education and qualification
  • First aid training
  • Safeguarding education
  • Mental health and welfare education
  • Online access to NBA and BE coach education resources
  • In-person clinics and education
  • Mentoring support
  • Basketball England coach license and insurance
  • DBS check
  • Basketballs and coaching uniform

Program objectives 

  • To create and manage a network of development, training and delivery opportunities for 500 new young coaches aged 16-30 
  • To help create the conditions for potential coach employment via a London-wide development and assignment program 
  • To provide a coaching network to develop young people (8-14 years) and signpost them to clubs 
  • To target ethnically diverse, deprived or underserved communities and locations in London 

How the Program works

Coaches 

The enrolled coaches receive education, development and mentoring both on and off the court. The Program: 

  • Builds confidence 
  • Improves life skills, coaching skills and employability 
  • Provides mentoring - coaches on the program are allocated a mentor/coach developer to support them at adopted clubs and organisations 
  • Provides on-the-job training and work experience 
  • Potentially leads to new employment opportunities 

Community players 

Eight to 14-year-olds in schools, clubs and communities in London benefit from the new coaches enrolled on the Program. The Program: 

  • Develops basketball skills and playing opportunities 
  • Delivers mentoring - coaches within the program coach and support around 20,000 youngsters over the course of the program as part of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s promise to give 100,000 people a mentor 

Clubs, organisations and communities  

Clubs, organisations and communities across London receive a range of support and benefits. The Program: 

  • Supports young people from ethnically diverse, deprived or underserved communities  
  • Encourages Londoners to be more active 
  • Helps clubs and organisations host community-based sessions 
  • Gives clubs and organisations the opportunity to nominate members for the coaching program

The partners 

  • The Mayor of London provides funding, support and oversight to improve the health, opportunities and employability for young people and communities
  • The NBA provides funding and uses the power and recognition of its brand, including Jr. NBA, to promote the Program. It provides access to online coach resources and supplies coaches with basketballs and co-branded coaching uniform and equipment 
  • Basketball England operates the Program, in partnership with Mayor of London and NBA, employing two members of full-time staff based in London to oversee and manage the delivery and training/mentoring programs 

To find out more about the London Coaches Program, please contact us using the button below.

Contact Us

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