BBF PROMISES TO LISTEN, ACT, FOLLOWING PLAYER PUSHBACK

The board of the British Basketball Federation has pledged to ring the changes following heavy criticism from Great Britain’s players.

In a statement issued through Basketball England, a full review of performance and financing has been promised under its new chair, the identity of whom is expected to be revealed within weeks with former SportEd CEO Chris Grant understood to be the frontrunner.

It is understood a similar communication was sent by BBF director Michelle Vernon-Way to a small group of GB’s EuroBasket travelling party in Milan last Thursday, provoking anger at the timing of its arrival – just hours before the team’s final tournament game against Italy – and also that it stopped short of collective accountability or an apology, the latter an approach which is believed to have been floated by at least one member of the federation’s board.

But the BBF has vowed to listen to representatives from the men’s squad, a number of whom are expected to consider international retirement following a Euros where GB finished winless amid claims of broken promises over the resources to be made available for their preparation.

It read: “The sport of basketball across Great Britain recognises how lack of resource and serious budget constraints have impacted on the ability of players and coaching staff to prepare properly for recent games. It’s testament to the commitment to represent their country that players and staff stuck to the task, facing up to the highest quality competition in Europe with determination and resilience.

“Change is underway and we’re determined to ensure this change will improve the support we provide for GB teams at all levels. New Board members have recently been appointed, a new Chair is about to be announced and a full review of GB performance and finances is starting. This is being done in full consultation with all the major stakeholders in British basketball. The first step will be to engage with team representatives.

“We’re determined to ensure that a new collaborative approach includes full engagement with player representatives at the top of our sport, so we can do as much as we can to get things right in future. It won’t be a quick fix, but by working together, we can give ourselves the best chance to succeed.”