Academies: EABL and WEABL structures announced for 2023/24

The Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL) and Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL) structures for the 2023/24 season have been confirmed. 

Both elite academy leagues will return with two-conference formats, dividing the country into Northern and Southern pools. 

Barking Abbey and City of London Academy will defend their respective EABL and WEABL titles.  

There are, however, a number of changes to the teams competing following the recent DiSE Partnerships review.  

In the EABL, The Sheffield College (Northern Conference) and The Canterbury Academy (Southern Conference) will compete for 2023/24 in a transitional season before departing from the league.

Newcastle Eagles Academy have now partnered with Newcastle College to compete in the CBL Tier 2 Group A. 

In the WEABL, there will be a four-team Northern Conference with The Sheffield College again in a transitional season before departure. The six-team Southern Conference is made of the same teams as last season.

The season will start on Wednesday 4 October with fixtures released shortly. 

Here are the full line-ups for 2023/24:  

EABL 

Northern Conference 

Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET) - City of Birmingham Rockets 
Myerscough College 
Derby Trailblazers 
Charnwood College Riders 
South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College 
Manchester Magic
The Sheffield College* 

*transitional season – departing the league at the end of 2023/24 season  

Southern Conference 

Barking Abbey
City of London Academy - Southwark 
Copleston High School - IBA
Itchen College 
JMA Reading Rockets 
Oaklands Wolves 
The Canterbury Academy* 

*transitional season – departing the league at the end of 2023/24 season 

WEABL 

Northern Conference 

Charnwood College Riders 
Nottingham Wildcats 
Manchester Mystics
The Sheffield College* 

*transitional season – departing the league at the end of 2023/24 season 

Southern Conference 

Barking Abbey 
City of London Academy - Southwark 
Copleston High School  - IBA
Itchen College
JMA Reading Rockets 
Oaklands Wolves  

DiSE Partnerships 

• Barking Abbey School (Dual) 
• BMet - City of Birmingham Rockets (Single – Boys) 
• City of London Academy - Southwark (Dual) 
• Copleston High School - IBA (Dual) 
• Derby Trailblazers (Single – Boys) 
• Myerscough College (Single – Boys) 
• Manchester Magic and Mystics Academy (Dual) 
• Nottingham Wildcats (Single – Girls) 
• Leicester Riders (Dual) 
• Oaklands Wolves (Dual) 
• Itchen College (Dual) 
• JMA Reading Rockets (Dual) 
• South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (Single – Boys) 

Basketball England’s Talent Pathway and Programme Manager Sam Messam said: 

“The DiSE Partnerships are dedicated talent environments with the highest level of athlete support and development on offer, to stretch and challenge elite basketball players towards growth and success, both as a basketball player and student. 

“Furthermore, the DiSE qualification is a unique opportunity for youth basketball players aged 16-19-years-old to continue to advance their knowledge and understanding of the game, compete at the highest level of youth basketball in England, and work towards their career aspirations. 

“These partnerships have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in talent development, and illustrate the provision of high-quality facilities, equipment, and staff in support of basketball and athlete development and have the complete confidence of Basketball England.” 

About DiSE 

DiSE Partnerships are elite academy environments supported by multiple partners (e.g. university, school, college, basketball club etc.) to deliver the DiSE qualification. 

The DiSE Qualification forms part of BE’s England Development Programme (EDP) Framework, which is made up of four elements: the DiSE Qualification, a full-time programme of learning (i.e., A-Levels or BTEC study), Level 2 coach/official award, and participation in the EABL or WEABL. 

The EABL was established in 2010/11 as a competitive outlet for DiSE students, with the WEABL beginning in 2015/16 with the same remit. 

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