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17 September 2025  6 min read

Local leagues - Record numbers affiliate to Basketball England as digital scoring and app fire new era

Following the launch of BE’s membership and competitions platform, PlayHQ, an unprecedented number of local leagues have affiliated to the organisation, gaining free access to the new system and its benefits. 

Sixty-eight leagues have joined for the 2025/26 season, rising from 26 in 2024/25. 

And the majority of those will be utilising digital scoring for the first time – doing away with the tradition paper-based method – which allows their scores to displayed live on the new BE app HoopsHQ. 

It’s a digital world  

The app, which is free to download on Apple and Android devices, offers live score updates – where digital scoresheets are used – plus results, fixtures, tables and player scoring stats for local league as well as NBL games. 

BE's North West Region has embraced the digital approach, using it at the Emily Brunnen Memorial Tournament last weekend, before rolling it out across all local and NBL games this season. 

NW Chair Kate Lewis said: “I will be honest - I have been very bossy about the North West going forward as a whole doing e-scoring for all NBL, Local and Regional league games. So I was a bit anxious about putting my money where my mouth is and going ‘live’ for the first time at the Emily Brunnen Memorial Tournament. 

“I had nothing to worry about. The clubs had done all their bit and made sure everyone was licensed and added to their teams. All we had to do then was to open the e-score and then ask the coaches to select their teams and make sure the numbers were OK. [Coach] Paul had never even seen it before and just did it intuitively. It’s dead easy! Then that’s it!  

“As the games went on during the day, we got better and quicker and now have some handy hints about how to view on a tablet etc which we will share.  

“On my court we abandoned the back-up paper scorebook after the first game and just relied on the e-score!” 

Using digital scoring meant the competition’s games could be followed live on HoopsHQ and it meant admins didn’t have to log into PlayHQ later to add scores and stats manually. 

Kate added: “The best bit was seeing the parents and spectators download the Basketball England HoopsHQ app and follow the game. The players and their families can see their scores and fouls afterwards too. It’s fab!” 

Digital scoring in action at the North West's Emily Brunnen Memorial Tournament

The Your Basketball League (YBL) in the West Midlands is also using the the digital scoring approach with director James Davies saying: “We’ve had two weekends of games to start our season off with our cup competitions and 50% of those games have been lived scored. 

“We’ve received positive feedback so far on the simple use of the live-scoring platform and the ease of obtaining the games. 

“Players have been delighted at seeing their stats when the games have finished.” 

Jordan Ashley, Essex Rebels Junior Club Coordinator, has overseen the introduction of digital scoring in the Essex Central Venue League. 

He said: “The e-scoring makes scoring a game really simple. Table officials were able to pick it up quickly which allowed the day to run smoothly! Couldn’t have asked for more! Will definitely be using it again for our next CVL dates.” 

Basketball England Officials and Volunteers Co-ordinator Shaun Williams said: "I’m thrilled to see e-scoring being rolled out into local leagues so that as many leagues as possible are able to reap the rewards of the system.  

“It was first used at the Aspire All-Star National Tournament where it was a huge success, and since then we’ve been sharing its benefits and explained how to use it at regional officiating conferences across the country.  

“The response has been fantastic, and to keep that momentum going we’ll be providing how-to videos and crib sheets to make sure everyone feels confident using it." 

Digital scoring can be carried out on a range of devices, including mobile phones, tablets and laptops. Games can still be scored if Wi-Fi or phone signal is lost with by reconnecting later. 

It should also be noted that the app will be the only place for participants to display their BE licence cards, and it is possible to display cards without Wi-Fi or phone signal. 

Local league growth 

The offer of the PlayHQ platform and the accompanying app HoopsHQ has been integral in Basketball England attracting an unprecedented number of leagues to affiliate this season. 

Almost 70 league have joined BE this summer, a significant increase from last season. 

PlayHQ – along with access to the HoopsHQ app - is one of a range of services and benefits that BE provides for affiliated leagues. 

And the twin platforms, plus BE’s recently relaunched website, have allowed the organisation to highlight and promote the activity of the leagues in a way which wasn’t previously available. 

Of those affiliated, a number are illustrating their size and capacity by registering hundreds of players. 

The YBL is leading the way with 1,884 total registrations, with Surrey Basketball Association, Durham Basketball League and the Basketball North West league also posting big numbers. 

Top 10 local leagues/associations by registrations 

Benefits 

BE members can access a range of benefits including Endurance Zone, which offers rewards in the form of discounts to a range of brands and stores, including big sports names such as Nike and JD Sports, and other well-known outlets. 

BE also offers regions, leagues and clubs a range of services, including insurance cover.

Member benefits

League, club and member services

Need help?

Any leagues wishing to affiliate or that need help in setting up registrations should contact us via the button below.

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