Troubled British Basketball given "lifeline" to fulfil international fixtures
UK Sport is to deliver a "one-off" support deal to British Basketball, in order to help the troubled national governing body fulfil international fixtures scheduled for its men's and women's teams.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has authorised a funding package worth £500,000 to save the NGB from the embarrassment of not being able to provide a team for next month's World Cup qualifying games in Scotland.
Included in the figure is an emergency fund worth £195,000, which will ensure GB athletes can take part in World Cup qualifying games in June and July.
In return for the grant, the DCMS has, however, made stringent demands on British Basketball for the rest of the funding to be released.
A further £305,000 has been ring-fenced to enable the senior teams to take part in international competitions during 2018–19, but the monies will only be released if British Basketball can demonstrate a "sustainable financial plan to support its athletes going forward".
This includes the sport agreeing an effective governance structure – including ongoing compliance with the Code for Sports Governance – and production of commercially sustainable financial plans.
In addition, the sport will have to quantify the social impact of the investment, and to make efforts to reach young, urban and diverse communities.
The move comes after British Basketball warned it would have to pull its men’s and women’s teams from international competition due to a cash crisis.
A withdrawal would have most likely led to lengthy bans imposed by FIBA, the international federation.
Last month, Ed Warner, the former chair of UK Athletics, agreed to lead British Basketball as it attempts to pull itself out of a "financial black hole".
Warner who, was named interim chair, said the emergency funding was "extremely welcome" – and that work was already underway to improve the way the NGB operates.
"A lot of work has been undertaken with UK Sport and others to get us to this point, and I am confident they understand the direction of travel for GB Basketball to help ensure a more coherent commercial and pathway structure for the sport," Warner said.
"There is still a lot more work to do to ensure long-term sustainability for elite basketball in Britain, but today’s news is very welcome."
UK Sport chief executive Liz Nicholl added: "It is disappointing that British Basketball has found itself in this situation, faced with significant financial challenges."
"It is vital British Basketball now demonstrates it can clearly deliver on its commitments and use the impact of its national teams to inspire participation, pride and wellbeing across the country, particularly in communities that it has a unique ability to reach.
"It is also a priority that the sport works together as a collective to reach agreement on the creation of a sustainable business model that will support its athletes before any further ring-fenced funding support can be provided."
British Basketball Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport DCMS Ed Warner Liz NichollAll change at British Basketball Federation with Humby exit and Wainwright appointment
British Basketball Federation mulls central funding pot for facilities
British Basketball Federation to open public consultation
New £3.5m home for Sheffield Sharks approved
FEATURE: People profiles – Nick Humby
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
