NBL structures released for 2021-22 season

With the 2021/22 season fast approaching, the structures for NBL, WNBL and Jnr. NBL competitions have been confirmed.

More than 750 teams have entered for the upcoming campaign (134 senior, 620 junior), many of whom have not competed for over 18 months due to COVID-19.

With no promotion and relegation in 2020/21, all 14 NBL Division One teams will return, including league and playoff champs Team Solent Kestrels.

Likewise, WNBL Division One also remains unchanged, with 11 teams all looking to dethrone Ipswich, including Anglia Ruskin University and Bristol Academy Flyers, who both withdrew last year.

Following their enforced layoff, NBL and WNBL Division Two both return, as does NBL Division Three and all junior competitions, signalling a full resumption of basketball activity across the NBL.

The National Cup has also been confirmed for senior teams following a year off and the Sure Shot National Cup for U16s and U18s will also return, with all Finals provisionally scheduled for 22/23 January 2022.

“It’s fantastic to see so many new and returning teams for 2021/22,” Basketball England’s Senior Delivery Manager Gail Richards said.

“Basketball, like so many areas of life, has faced its issues over the last 18 months, but we are determined that as many people as possible can safely and confidently return to play come September.

“We’ll need to be flexible, and we may need to make adjustments as the season progresses, but we’re confident that with the help of our brilliant member clubs, we can make the upcoming campaign a real success for all involved.”

There are, of course, some adjustments to the current season with promotion and relegation back in effect, whilst some age group pools have been re-aligned to minimise travel with a potential COVID-19 resurgence remaining in mind.

Find all NBL senior competition structures here and junior competition structures here.

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