Glasgow Rocks Become Latest BBL Team With University Link

The Glasgow Rocks have become the latest British Basketball League side to form links with a local university after teaming up with Glasgow University Men’s Basketball Club.

From the Rocks:

“The two clubs have agreed a landmark deal, the first of its kind in Scotland, which will see the Rocks help cultivate young basketball stars through both undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Glasgow, with the new players training and playing with both the University and the Rocks as well as actively partaking in community programmes that the Glasgow Rocks currently deliver.

The Glasgow Rocks are Scotland’s only professional basketball team. Last season they reached the British Basketball League (BBL) play-off semi-finals, and this season with the new partnership in place, they are looking forward to going at least one step further. The Glasgow Rocks will be moving from the Kelvin Hall Arena to the brand new Commonwealth Arena to begin their 2012/13 BBL championship campaign.

GUMBC are one of Glasgow University Sports Association’s (GUSA) flagship clubs. Two years ago they were promoted to the Northern Premier Division of the BUCS basketball competition, and have achieved successive playoff positions in our first two years in the Scottish Senior Men’s National League. They were GUSA’s 2012 Team of the Year, and 2011 Club of the Year.

Senior Rocks players will provide support for GUMBC training sessions, offering student athletes position specific training, on the court. GUMBC coaches will lend game support and their statistical analysis expertise to the Rocks, whilst gaining valuable experience of coaching in the BBL.

Julie Ommer, Director, University of Glasgow Sport and Recreation Service said: “With the recent success of the Basketball Club entering the Scottish National League, as well as gaining promotion to the top flight British University League, the partnership with Glasgow Rocks marks another milestone in the sports’ development here at the University. The University has a worldwide reputation for academic excellence and we are looking forward to working with the Rocks in attracting the best young stars to Glasgow. As the Glasgow Rocks move into their new home in the Commonwealth Arena, this marks an exciting period for basketball in Glasgow, where we hope more success will come for the University and our professional counterparts.”

Daniel Bajwoluk, General Manager of Glasgow Rocks said: “The Glasgow Rocks are delighted to be partnered with Glasgow University who have such a rich history in academic excellence and at the same time have a very passionate outlook on the future. This ground-breaking relationship should see more home-grown basketball players progressing into the professional ranks within Scotland and at the same time it should also give us the opportunity of introducing talented basketball players from all over the world to the city of Glasgow. It comes as a result of a lot of hard work off the court and comes to the fore at a very opportune time. With the excitement of our move into the Commonwealth Arena, our continually growing community programmes through affiliated charity Scottish Sports Futures and now our confirmed partnership with Glasgow University, 2012/13 is looking to be a very significant season for the growth of the Glasgow Rocks Franchise.”

Forming a partnership with a higher education institution is fast becoming the accepted model in the BBL as the Rocks join Durham Wildcats, Leicester Riders, Newcastle Eagles, Plymouth Raiders, and Worcester Wolves, as teams with university links.

Last season the top four teams were all university partnered teams, with only Durham, who were in their first professional season, not achieving success.

Thoughts?