Demonstrating that age is no barrier to performance, the GB Maxis have been endorsed and recognised as having met England Talent Programme (ETP) standards of delivery. The endorsement also gives elite recognition to the senior English players and staff who are part of the programme.
Based in England, the GB Maxis programme was developed in 2018 to enable former national league, professional and international players to return to high-level competition against their peers on the European and World Maxibasketball stage.
Having tasted medal success in Helsinki at the FIMBA World Championships 2019, the programme has since expanded and is currently preparing male and female national teams to compete in the next scheduled European Maxibasketball Championships in Malaga in competition categories 35+ to 50+.
As a fully sustainable entity (funded by its participants and corporate entities), the GB Maxis programme offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals to enjoy an extension to their international playing journey. Participation has already seen growth over the past few years with more English players taking part in club invitational tournaments such as the annual GB Masters, and similar events in Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Latvia to name a few.
“We are delighted to incorporate the GB Maxis programme into the ETP and to recognise the elite status of players and staff based in England. Inclusion is a big part of the game of basketball and our strategy, and we are committed to ensuring this holds true across all age groups. Performance at a high level doesn’t have to stop with advancing years, and the GB Maxis programme has already proven that with one of their teams securing a World Championship medal in 2019. We are excited by the competitive possibilities this has sparked for players in England, alongside their peers in Scotland and Wales.”
The GB Maxibasketball programme is working to a four-year competition cycle from 2021-25, which will include participation in international governing body-recognised World and European masters level competition.
“I’m really pleased to see GB Maxi programme working strategically and in partnership with Basketball England. The programme will activate the masters level element of the NGB talent pathway, by embedding a robust infrastructure to enable the selection and preparation of national maxibasketball teams within a recognised performance environment.
"Furthermore, as an advocate of lifelong participation and inclusion in basketball, it’s also important to encourage other agencies who can support age-appropriate competitive opportunities for older players. So, whether it’s participation in aspirational regional hubs, the annual GB Masters event or at national performance level, maxibasketball is an attractive offer for which demand is growing. It’s great that our governing body has embraced it.”
Players, coaches and any support staff interested in the GB Maxi programme for European and World Championship competition can email [email protected] for more information.
