Aimed at talented 11-15-year-olds, Aspire graduates have been excelling this summer after moving through the programme as part of their continuing development.
Eighty-five of the 86 players on the current England Talent Programme (ETP) came through the programme, with some going on to represent Great Britain this summer.
Of the 48 roster spots across the GB U16 and U18 Men’s and Women’s squads for the recent European Championships, 37 of those players (77%) came through the Basketball England Aspire Programme from 2019 onwards.
“It's truly remarkable to see the significant impact of the Aspire Programme on the development of our young players.
“The statistics speak for themselves with an astounding 99% of ETP players for the 2022/23 season emerging from our Aspire initiative, underscoring its vital role in nurturing talent.
“These numbers not only demonstrate the effectiveness of our talent development approach but also emphasise the dedication of our players and coaches. It's a testament to the collaborative efforts that drive our pathway's success, propelling young athletes from Aspire to proudly represent England and GB on the international stage.
“We will continue to invest in the growth and potential of our players, ensuring that the journey from Aspire to National Teams remains a vibrant and enriching experience. The pathway is bright, and we look forward to witnessing even greater achievements from the stars of tomorrow going forward."
The Aspire programme underwent a reset following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new format utilises a ‘super-region’ model that is delivered primarily through camp-based activity throughout the year.
The programme then builds from regional to super-region activity in the spring and finally an All-Star National Tournament in early July.
Aspire also funnels players into the U14 and U15 England teams, which then feed into the U16 GB set up.
GB U16 head coaches Troy Culley (Men) and Lee Davie (Women) are two advocates for the changes that have been made to the Aspire model, and the development opportunities it provides to players.
“The Aspire and ETP platforms offer players invaluable exposure and experiences, giving them crucial insights into advanced training and competitive standards,” said Culley.
“Equally, there’s opportunity in these programmes for young players to compete against international talent. Such exposure not only hones their technical skills but also broadens their understanding of diverse playing styles, strategies, and cultural nuances of the game.”
It was a sentiment shared by Davie, who led the U16s to a sixth-place finish in Division B last month: “The talent level continues to grow throughout basketball in England and the Aspire and ETP are the conduit between athletes, clubs and our National Teams.
“Nine players from this summer's GB U16 women’s team came through the 2021-2023 Aspire and ETP and these platforms give the players their first glimpse into the requirements to succeed at international basketball.
“As we move forward into the 2023/24 calendar, these programmes are essential to developing key areas in which physical and technical skills adaption can take place. That then allows our national teams to fulfil their potential going forward.”
The following players played for GB teams this summer after previous time in the Aspire programme, with the year they came through Aspire in brackets.
Congratulations to them for their hard work and continued development.
GB U16 Men
To find out more about the Aspire programme and the Basketball England Talent Pathway, please use the buttons below.
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