CBL: Structures announced for 2024/25

The College Basketball League (CBL) returns for 2024/25 later this month. 

St Aloysius ended MK5D Shenley Brook End hopes of back-to-back titles last March as they claimed the title, and are ready to defend their crown.

The league, formerly the ABL, caters for 16-19-year-olds, providing the second and third tiers for the age-group under the tier-one outfits of the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL) and Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL). 

It provides a competitive outlet for educational-based basketball programmes, such as sixth form and further education colleges. 

Teams have now been confirmed for both tiers two and three ahead of the 2024/25 season, with full lists available from the button at the bottom of the page.

The CBL season is slated to begin on Wednesday, 25 September, with the bulk of the action then commencing from Wednesday, 2 October.

New faces

There are a number of new faces across Tier 2 of the CBL following last season's promotion/relegation games between Tiers 2 and 3 of the pyramid.

In Group A, COLBA Allerton High School, Leeds City College and Moulton College have all moved up, and form part of the eight strong line up along with The Sheffield College, who have relocated from the EABL.

Harris City Academy Crystal Palace and Oasis Academy Enfield have both progressed into Group B, they'll line up alongside a formidable trio of previous winners, New City College, Dagenham Park and Shenley Brook End.

Defending champs St Aloysius will be able to give Chessington School and Cardiff and Vale College a welcome to life in Tier 2, with Bracknell and Wokingham College and Holy Trinity School Storm also in the mix in Group C.

Delivery standards 

The five delivery standards that will govern the CBL are as follows: 

1. Athlete Recruitment – safe, ethical, and responsible recruitment activity that provides the appropriate level of information and guidance to help the athlete thrive
2. Educational Partnership – the school/college is committed to elite sport and supports the programme in all their endeavours
3. Quality Leadership, Coaching and Athlete Support – linked to the qualifications, experience, and knowledge of the Academy staff
4. Facilities and Equipment – linked to the quality and level of facilities and equipment provided by the Academy
5. Athlete Welfare Provision – demonstrates the academic and athletic support on offer, including policies and process to support the basketball athlete

Category two and category three programmes 

The CBL is divided into two levels based on the standards above. Entrants can apply to become a category two or category three programmes and will compete against teams in their own tier. 

By separating educational-based programmes via quality standards, the aim is to increase the level of on-court competition and move to a greater degree of parity between the programmes who enter each season. 

For more information on the CBL, plus its tiers and requirements, please contact Sam Messam, [email protected] 

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