Basketball England Talent Hub launching at Essex

Basketball England today makes a huge step forward with the announcement of a game-changing network of Regional Talent Hubs across the country including at the University of Essex.

The initiative, which will place a host university partner at the centre of each region, will benefit clubs, players, coaches, officials, volunteers and partners and help them get the most from basketball. 

After a period of research and development, Basketball England has identified a number of major reforms to the sport’s Talent Pathway so it is more inclusive and player-led and supported by more partners with a stake in the game.

The Hubs will also enable us to reinvest funds generated into our Talent system.

Stewart Kellett, CEO at Basketball England said: “This is a top priority in our strategic plan, ‘Growing Basketball Together’. Today we’re taking a giant step forward linking grassroots basketball to world-class regional environments to nurture talent and become more competitive in international competition over time. 

“This is a fundamental building block for our Talent system to support young people as well as clubs and coaches to achieve their dreams through basketball with the creation of Regional Talent Hubs. 

“Basketball relies so much on our voluntary clubs and the education sector and today’s announcement is an opportunity for all involved in the game. Attracting support, expertise and resources from our university network and clubs which can nurture talent locally and regionally is something to celebrate.”

How the Talent Hubs will work

The Hubs will benefit young players within the Talent system as well as clubs, coaches, volunteers and other support staff in each region. 

They will be supported by a team of students with our Regional Talent Managers providing leadership and additional support to ensure that key performance indicators are achieved. 

The Hubs will play host to Basketball England’s Aspire Programme sessions and provide support to clubs and local league providers, as well as hosting workshops on coaching, officiating and sports science.

Basketball England Talent Programme and Pathway Manager Charlie Ford said: "Today is a landmark day in the execution of our strategic plan for Talent. Our Hub partners will provide valuable resources to the sport and help to integrate and enhance the player pathway.

"In addition, the students within each Hub team will get the opportunity and benefit from work experiences that will increase their employability upon graduation. 

"The Hubs will not only provide support for Talent but will also host development sessions, participation events whilst also linking with leagues and clubs to boost the local infrastructure of the sport."

Susy Davies, Performance Sport Manager at University of Essex said:“The University of Essex is very proud to be partnering with Basketball England in delivering the Regional Hub programme.  The Essex Rebels pathway offers a school’s outreach programme, community sessions, a junior club, basketball academy in conjunction with a group of local schools, and men’s and women’s senior teams.

Basketball is also one of the most popular participation sports amongst our students and we run large internal leagues, as well as five teams playing in BUCS.  All of this activity takes place in the Essex Sport Arena, one of the best basketball venues in the country.

“Our School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences offers degree schemes in Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Performance and Coaching, Sports Therapy, and Physiotherapy, and this is a fantastic opportunity for our students to assist in the delivery of the Regional Hub whilst gaining invaluable practical skills and experience.”

Basketball England have formed partnerships with seven universities and one club in eight regions. They are:

•  North East – Newcastle Eagles
•  North West – Manchester Metropolitan University
• East Midlands – Loughborough University
• West Midlands – Birmingham City University
• East – University of Essex
• South West – Plymouth Marjon University
• South – Solent University
• London – University of East London

A further two regional talent Hubs remain under discussion and will be announced once agreements have been reached.