British Basketball Announce ‘Festival of Basketball’

British Basketball is organising a special participation zone for new fans to try out the game, in its most important week of the year.

The “Festival of Basketball” will be staged prior to the final home EuroBasket 2017 qualifier for Great Britain’s senior men on Saturday September 10th, within 5 minutes’ walk of the Copper Box.

In conjunction with Basketball England, British Wheelchair Basketball and London Sport, the sessions are designed to help those new to basketball of whatever age to have a go. In particular, it promises to be a great opportunity for those inspired by the Rio Olympics to get involved.

Fans will also be able to enjoy coaching sessions in basketball and wheelchair basketball, as long as they bring appropriate footwear. The event takes place at Gainsborough Playing Fields, just a stone’s throw from the Copper Box Arena in East London.

Festival Organiser Jen Impett said: “This is a great opportunity for people to get behind Team GB and learn more about basketball. There will be lots of fun activities to entertain the whole family.”

Trickshot competitions and help on getting more involved in basketball will be on hand, before Great Britain face Hungary later that evening.

It is hoped that in future years, the Festival can grow and become an occasion for the whole game to come together and celebrate all that is good about basketball.

“I hope families from around the London area will be able to enjoy and take in basketball, even if it is for the very first time,” Incoming Chairman, British Basketball Federation, Nick Humby said.

“We know it is a fast and exciting game and we can’t do enough to encourage more to appreciate it.

“This is the first event of its kind and we are starting small with the intention to build on this in future years as an example of how we want to bring the whole game together. When we do that, the game of basketball in this country is well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

Details:
Date & time: Saturday 10th September, 1pm to 5.30pm
Location: Gainsborough Playing Fields, adjacent to Mossbourne Riverside Academy, East Bay Lane, London, E15 2GW, less than 5 minutes walk from the Copper Box.

Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball Coaching and Have a go sessions take place at 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm. Participants can sign up on the day to take part and need to make sure they bring appropriate clothing and footwear

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