British Championship Basketball (BCB) officially launched
The thirteen NBL Division 1 clubs from last season have officially set up and announced the British Championship Basketball (BCB), as Hoopsfix first reported.
Being referred to as the ‘new second tier British basketball league’ it is comprised initially of 14 English clubs (13 from NBL D1 plus Bristol Flyers II who were in D2).
The new league will be immediately open to four Scottish or Welsh clubs, with the objective being to become a truly national league for Britain and an essential contributor to the development of British players in their pathway towards GB representation.
Russell Bell, who is standing down as one of Basketball England’s nominated directors on the BBF Board to take up the role as the new league’s Independent Chair, said:
“The launch of a new British league is a fantastic opportunity to provide a key link in the pathway for players across the country from participation to high performance. It will offer a platform for British players to aspire to in their development, fully supported by BBF and the three Home Nations, and will contribute greatly towards the retention, development and exposure of British basketball talent throughout the country.”
The key mission for the league, the BCB says, will be to offer a platform for British players to aspire to in their development, and it will facilitate the retention, progression and exposure of British basketball talent throughout the country.
This will include the reduction in the number of foreign players eligible to play by the 2026/27 season to three, with nine British qualified players also on the bench.
The independent league will be licensed by BBF and will operate through a company owned by the participating clubs, with Board members and an Independent Chair elected by the clubs and three directors nominated by the three HCA’s.
The say the company’s role will be to bring the game together, improve standards, increase financial stability and commercial appeal, as well as enhancing the player, coach and spectator experience across the country.
Following an initial two-year period, promotion to and relegation from the league will be determined by play offs between the bottom club and the top clubs from Scotland, England and Wales.
A fixture list for the coming season, beginning in September, will be announced shortly.
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