BOARD SEARCH STARTS FOR GB BODY - Hoopsfix.com

BOARD SEARCH STARTS FOR GB BODY

Plans for a revamped federal structure for basketball in the UK are to be accelerated, having removed the potential road blocks of the Scottish independence referendum and an agreement from the sport’s authorities in Wales to come on board.

The process of appointing an independent chair and directors for the new governing body, British Basketball, was launched on Monday with the organisation set to take formal control of the Great Britain teams, as well as strategic and commercial matters, by next year.

But Bill McInnes, the former Scotland internationalist who currently heads the working group, has promised the home nations will not be sidelined with Basketball England, Scotland and Wales set to retain control of grassroots development and officiating.

“This new Board will work in collaboration with all three Home Nations, who will continue to develop the sport in their territories in line with a shared British strategy,” McInnes said.

“The new Board will have its performance evaluated annually to ensure its accountability and effectiveness. With Wales now fully committed, it is our aim to implement the new structure by the end of 2014 to maintain progress to single FIBA membership in 2016.”

The refreshed set-up is to get logistical guidance from UK Sport despite the government agency axing basketball from its list of funded sports. Last week, Sport England pledged £1.1 million over three years to ensure the GB teams would be able to afford to compete in European competitions.

However it is understood that the British Basketball League and its sister league, the WBBL, will remain independent of the new body, although with close co-operation between the two.

“British Basketball is excited to be launching its new goals and determined to deliver an inspirational and sustainable delivery plan for basketball in Britain which will lead the sport into its next stage of development,” McInnes added.