New basketball union looks to create Olympic legacy

A new organisation has been formed to promote the commercial development of basketball in Great Britain, the British Basketball Union.

With the 2012 London Olympics just around the corner, the sport of basketball is looking to use it as a vehicle in growing the sport, and ensure a lasting legacy.

The BBU is a commercial partnership between British Performance Basketball, responsible for the Great Britain national teams, the British Basketball League, responsible for the top men’s league in Great Britain, and the national governing bodies for England and Scotland, England Basketball and Basketball Scotland.

It will act as a first stop shop for anyone seeking to get involved in the sport, whether supporting the national teams, looking to watch competitive League basketball, seeking basketball participation opportunities, or looking at coaching or volunteering opportunities. In addition, the BBU will seek sport wide opportunities with potential sponsorship and media partners through a new strategic marketing approach, summarized in the strap-line ‘Closer to the Action’.

The BBL’s representative on the board is Kevin Routledge, of Leicester Riders. He said: “This is a very important step forward for the sport. We are all tremendously excited about the prospects for basketball in this country, in light of the spotlight of London 2012, and as a unified sport we believe we can provide a service to those interested in the sport, particularly those catalysed by the Olympics.”

As well as Routledge, the BBU board comprises Simon Tuckey, commercial director of BPB, Keith Mair CEO of EB and Kevin Pringle, CEO of BS.

The British Basketball Union newly launched website is at www.britishbasketballunion.com and you can follow the BBU on http://on.fb.me/BBUofficial or on twitter @BBUofficial