All four organisations are working closely together to establish a fresh approach for improving and growing the sport of basketball in Britain.
This level of collaboration is a real breakthrough, ensuring that all organisations involved in delivering the sport in Britain work together effectively and that the pathways that link local, national and international basketball are stronger, more aligned and better connected than ever before.
One of the outcomes of this increased collaboration is the full implementation of the FIBA-mandated licensing arrangements which means that the BBF, as the FIBA-recognised member federation, will in future fulfil its obligation for the licensing of all players who wish to play the game in Britain.
It means each participant taking part in organised basketball within each Home Nation will be licensed through the BBF. Each Home Nation has agreed to build this fee into their respective membership costs, which in some cases may be in addition to other necessary membership cost increases for the 2024/25 season. Members will see no change to the existing membership registration processes.
This change will provide structured financial support to the BBF to help them achieve their objectives, which includes running the six Great Britain youth teams and two senior teams.
There will be a smooth transition to this new process for participants as the licence will continue to be embedded in home country memberships.
Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales will provide more information to their members soon.
“In recent months the British Basketball Federation has been rejuvenated, through the strengthening of our board to ensure all home countries are represented, through putting in place good governance, by rebuilding our coaching structure and through bringing in experienced staff to lead the day-to-day running of the federation.
“This means that now is the right time for us to work in a more co-ordinated and collaborative way with the home country associations, so that we can all continue to build stronger relationships and ensure an even brighter future for basketball in Britain.”
“This a hugely positive step to align the effort and investment of all the British basketball stakeholders.
“We will be working closely with our Home Country Association partners of basketballscotland and Basketball Wales as members of the British Basketball Federation to bring our collective effort to supporting all the functions of the BBF and to produce better talent pools and improve our international success.”
“Basketball Wales is pleased with the significant progress achieved with the FIBA-mandated licensing arrangements, reflecting the spirit of continued collaboration between the home country associations and the British Basketball Federation. We extend our best wishes to all our GB players, coaches, staff and officials for success in this summer's European Championships.”
“We’re delighted to see increased collaboration taking place between our partner home country associations and the British Basketball Federation. Collaboration is key to driving forward the sport of basketball across Great Britain, typified by the new agreement regarding licensing, which now brings the sport into alignment with FIBA requirements. We look forward to increased collaboration in the future, for the benefit of Scottish basketball and the sport as a whole.”
