Amaechi: “I Back GB-But We Need A Legacy”

By Sam Neter on February 26, 2011

The John Amaechi-British Basketball saga continued this week as Amaechi made it absolutely clear that he backs the team and the ‘remarkable’ success they’ve had since their inception, but stands by his comments that ultimately the lack of a legacy will only hurt the game in this country.

Anthony Jepson of The Manchester News reports:

Amaechi says he is right behind the players and applauds what they have achieved on the court – but says the administration’s plan to leave a lasting legacy after the Games isn’t strong enough.

“I haven’t been able to get the Great Britain people to talk about anything other than results,” he said.

“The results have been remarkable and what the GB players – men and women – have done has been remarkable.

“But what they won’t talk about is the long-term plan for basketball in this country.

“I agree with the people who say they shouldn’t have to jump through these hoops for their place in the 2012 Olympic Games, but FIBA require a legacy and I can’t tell you what the legacy is supposed to be.

“The success that they have achieved with 60 or so players – men and women and the age-group teams – is great, but it is not what FIBA means by legacy. It is broader than that.

“I have not seen anything other than us working towards getting a really good team for 2012. They have done that really well but a legacy is about what is still here after everything else has gone.”

British Basketball has a plan known as T16 – towards 2016 – in place, identifying and nurturing young talent for the future, but Amaechi added: “We need six to eight regional centres around the country where young people have access to a high standard of coaching, in a positive atmosphere, at an affordable price, four, five six nights a week – investment from the ground up.

“If the GB team does even half decent at the Games – and I think they will – kids will be excited about the game and they will look for somewhere of a good standard to play.

“That doesn’t really exist anywhere now.”

Amaechi admitted his claim that GB’s men’s team has an average age of around 35 was “way out” – it is around 25.

And of Sullivan’s claim that he should use his ‘knowledge and experience’ to help Britain’s players.

Amaechi added: “It’s convenient to say I don’t care about the team. I’m not hard to find.”

What do you think? Do British Basketball have a sufficient long term development plan in place? Drop a comment and let us know!

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