Junior leagues suspended during second lockdown as only elite senior competitions remain

Following the government announcement of a new four-week national lockdown starting on Thursday, Basketball England have today announced that only the BBL, WBBL and NBL 1 and WNBL 1 will be allowed to continue playing.

After conversations with the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS), Sport England and UK Sport, Basketball England released a statement on their website saying:

All non-elite basketball (training and competition) must stop from Thursday for the duration of the lockdown and regress to Level 4 of Basketball England’s Return to Play guidance, this includes:

– NBL Division Two and Three club training and competition
– All Jnr. NBL training and competition. Following Government feedback NBL U18 Premier is no longer deemed as ‘Elite’ and therefore will also move to Level 4
– All other Senior and Junior local league, recreational training, and competition
– EABL, WEABL and ABL competition is postponed until at least January 2021 in line with AoC Sport guidance

BBL/WBBL and NBL1/WNBL1 training and games are all that are now permitted under the Government’s ‘elite’ exemption, with the national leagues subject to viability – such as venue access – and receiving financial support from DCMS .

Meanwhile, Basketball within Education – If sporting activity is part of an educational course, training must comply with Level 2 of Return To Play guidance

With the exception of the BBL/WBBL and NBL1/WNBL1, Basketball England will suspend the 2020-21 season until early 2021 for all leagues and competitions under our jurisdiction.

“Although this announcement and the temporary halt to the sport is disappointing and frustrating, we must all continue to play our part to follow the Government’s ruling and help the country get the virus under control,” Basketball England CEO Stewart Kellett said.

“Getting basketball prepared for a return to play has taken real determination and commitment from members and volunteers across our game and I want to thank everyone for their vital contributions.

“However, the health, safety and well-being of our members and the wider basketball community remains our priority, so it is extremely important clubs, players, coaches, officials, officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the Government’s new national restrictions during this period.

“We will continue to talk to DCMS and hope to be able to resume activity as soon as the Government says that is possible.”

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