For episode 34 of the Hoopsfix Podcast, Joe Forber (pictured above, centre), one of the founders of the Manchester Magic programme, took some time to sit down and talk about his story and career so far.
Joe Forber, originally a teacher, got involved with hoops decades ago before helping found Manchester Magic in 1997. The Manchester programme have gone on to be one of the most successful clubs in British basketball history, having won 81 titles since the year 2000, including a dominant stretch in junior basketball that saw them frequent the Final Fours across all age groups, male and female, for a number of years.
Manchester are the reigning NBL Trophy and NBL D1 Play-off Champions, along with WBBL Cup Champions, and in 2016 the Magic did the NBL D1 quadruple – winning the Trophy, Cup, League and Play-off titles.
In this a-little-over-an-hour episode, hear from Joe Forber on:
How he first got involved with basketball from a rugby background
The positive response of kids to basketball in comparison to other sports like rugby
Why he chose to focus on the coaching and teaching side of things instead of playing
Roy Packham and his guidance and influence on Joe’s early years to build a club
Forming his first National League club in Cheshire, Ellesmere Port Panthers, with Mike Burton
The quality of American imports back in the day
The American import vs spots for British players debate
Comparing the talent level of kids now to previous years
North basketball vs South basketball
The original Manchester United basketball programme
What he would like to see the National Governing Body do to improve the sport
The biggest ‘gaping hole’ he sees in England’s competitive structure
The importance of players starting the game young
The long-term lack of leadership in basketball from an NGB perspective
John Amaechi, who was originally developed by Joe, and why he believes him to be such a great role model
Spotting the ‘future pros’ and how you can never really tell who is going to make it
The creation of Manchester Magic and what made him first set up the club with his wife, Maggie and Graham Williams
Building the Amaechi Basketball Centre
The financial model behind Manchester Magic
The future of basketball in Manchester and a potential coming together of different organisations
Possibilities of a new BBL franchise in Manchester
And much, much more
As always, I’d love to get your feedback, come back after you’ve listened and lets get some discussion going in the comments.
The show has been approved on iTunes – find it here and please subscribe to automatically receive new episodes straight to your phone/computer/tablet – if you could give us a review/rating it would be much appreciated to help the podcast spread far and wide!
Do you like our work?
We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.
We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.
We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.
If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.
We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.
0 comments