FEDERAL PLANS SET OUT FOR BRITISH GAME
England Basketball, and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales, will be asked to approve a new federal structure next month that would bring all three home nations under a single governing body.
With the full details now available, the proposals – first revealed in the current issue of MVP Magazine – could prove politically controversial.
If all three sign up, it would see the trio lose their independent memberships of FIBA from 2016 and with it, the right to compete as a separate country in official international competitions, other than the Commonwealth Games.
The new arrangements, seen as a compromise solution, have been brokered by senior figures in British basketball in a bid to maintain the impetus generated by Great Britain’s recent rise up the rankings in the build-up to a first Olympic appearance since 1948.
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Each of the nations would still retain control of its own national leagues and grassroots development.
However with the sport’s world governing body FIBA imposing a deadline of June 30, the three must now decide whether to go solo or opt out – and effectively kill off the Great Britain team.
Scotland is seen as the most likely to break ranks.
“The basketballscotland executive board will meet in early May to review the information provided,†said a spokesperson.
“It will confirm what additional information is required to be provided and plan the process of consultation with the membership in order to inform a decision on the matter by the end of June.â€
Should the merger get the green light, British Basketball would become the de-facto lead governing body with overall responsibility for strategy, marketing and the national teams. While it is expected that the British Basketball League, plus a planned new women’s league, would also come under their umbrella.
Sport England and SportScotland have confirmed they will continue to fund the sport even if their respective basketball organisations give up some of its current responsibilities.
However UK Sport will withdraw its financial backing for the high performance arm if the plans are rejected, costing the sport an estimated £10 million per year in government and commercial support.
Read the full proposals here. Let us know your thoughts below.
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