Basketball England has taken the decision to cancel the Academy and Dynamik National Schools Finals originally scheduled for 18/19 March 2020.
These events had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic with the possibility of resumption in the right circumstances, but this has not proven possible.
All finalists from 2019/20 will be crowned as co-champions for the EABL, WEABL, ABL, plus U14 Boys Premier, U16 Boys Premier, U17 Girls and Boys, U19 Girls and Boys Conference competitions.
Given the uncertainty of when it will be deemed safe to resume indoor sport and with the Government’s social distancing measures still in place, a final decision has now been made to avoid keeping players, programmes and spectators on hold for a prolonged period.
Players remain unable to train within their educational environments and many students have returned home due to school closures. Welfare remains a priority and with players unable to practice and remain in game-ready physical condition, this has also been a factor in the decision.
The possibility of further postponement was considered but given the issues outlined above, and programmes potentially losing players following graduation in the near future, this wasn’t considered as a viable option.
Basketball England's Senior Delivery Manager Gail Richards said: "We appreciate that teams have put in a tremendous amount of effort throughout the season to reach their respective finals and being named as co-champions is the least that they deserve. 2019/20 was building to a fantastic conclusion before we were forced to curtail the season, and we very much look forward to what next season brings."
The co-champions for this season are as follows:
Myerscough College and Barking Abbey School
Copleston High School and City of London Academy
Haringey Sixth Form College and New City College
Richard Huish College and County Upper School
John Madejski Academy and Richard Huish College
Charnwood College and City of London Academy
Myerscough College and Charnwood College
Shoeburyness High School and St Bonaventure’s School
St Aloysius College and St Bonaventure’s School
