Future of Basketball in UK

Yesterday I blogged about the allocation of UKSports elite funding money in preparation for the Rio 2016 games. After reflecting for a day about all this news I am even more disappointed on its impact on basketball than I first thought.

Over the last few years the GB basketball team has come along way and much effort and money has been put in to raise the standard. In the Olympics this summer team GB soundly beat China ranked 10th in the world and then came with even 1 point of beating silver medalist Spain. Team GB currently has two players in Luol Deng and Joel Freeland playing regularly in the NBA. With Deng being one of the best players in the league. While there are also several players in Americas top colleges including senior Anthony Lawerence who plays at Charleston and is a lock to be drafted into the NBA next year. This shows the current wealth of talent in team GB and its because of the funding GB basketball has had which has helped support players through competing in America and supporting the national team in FIBA competitions.

So what's the future for the GB Basketball team, immediately it is probably okay because they have this wealth of talent which is establishing itself at the highest level. GB Basketball has also committed to FIBA competitions for the next couple of years. However it's the long term future or legacy that looks a bit more worrying. There will be limited funding available to plough into grass roots to inspire the next generation. As well as less money available to set training camps up in America were all the best facilities and competitions are like before they did prior to the London Olympics. There will also be less support from GB Basketball in establishing players in the college ranks in USA unlike what was available for Anthony Lawerence.

This really does worry me because I see an opportunity for basketball in this country. There is no reason with a little bit of commitment and lots funding why we can not be second in the world. We already have some great talent and could further add to it so in years to come we have a complete team. I'm going to do my bit, as a PE teacher I'm going to commit to Basketball in the curriculum just like I would to other English Sports like football or cricket. I'm going to do my bit lets hope UKSport can do their bit and add a little funding.