NBA All-Star, Forward for the Miami Heat and Team GB captain has spoken out about Basketball in the UK and at School level.
4 Years ago, Team GB got to compete, (as the home nation, not by qualifying) in the Olympic. They showed that they belong. Pushing finalists Spain all the way in their group game and narrowly missing out by a single point 79-78. Losses to Russia and Brazil, both huge basketball nations, meant GB went out at the group stage.
Then the Funding was pulled for basketball across the nation and signed its death warrant.
This years Eurobasket, the Olympic qualification, Team GB could not, due to lack of funds, pay Luol's insurance to Miami Heat, and GB's greatest ever player had to sit and watch from the sidelines.
He went from the humblest of beginnings, a refugee of war in Sudan, Africa, he arrived in London. He went on to play for Brixton, where I played against his younger brother Ajou (We lost 88 - 8 and we were county champions too!!). He now, while still humble, makes £40M a yr, only behind Andy Murray, Jenson Button, Wayne Rooney and Lewis Hamilton in his income from sport.
He Says of Basketball in the UK:
"I think that it starts with the attention towards basketball... it's not there. At a young age, the kids are working hard and playing, but it gets to a level where, after the age of 16 even 17, kids don't know what to do.
Basketball could be another outlet which gives these kids a future and give these kids a dream and something to go after."
He believes, similarising his war based background, that "The sport has been left to fight for itself"
According to figures 12,400 fewer people are playing basketball now, than in our Olympic year 2012.
And apart from our amazing school's support we are left playing against ourselves. England Basketball have so little support for the game at school level, that a single day, some time in March, is deemed enough for U13's. There is NO county competition for any age group, no matter how loud I shout or how much we (Myself, Richard HP, Ruth Dwyer) do to run the whole thing ourselves. Schools just "don't have time" for it along side football, rugby, cricket...
... and don't get me started on "Dorset" Storm...
However....
This week has been forminal for basketball in BCS. Every year group has had matches.
The U13's played their first competitive basketball. U14's trounced anyone that came in their path, and U16's match vs St Peters was a little embarassing. Then the U19's again played well above their age group and challenged a team of full grown men.
BCS continues to support the game. We have great facilities and middle and Senior management have been great in their continued support of the teams throughout the school. Its not uncommon for the teachers to give their own time to come watch (yeah its warmer than the playing field!). Last night even passed teachers came back. The Headmaster, Russell Slatford, sat and watched the game: I was playing but sure we got a few tweets. And HP's relentless work for his Academies through the school is second to none.
And then the supporters. Every week they turn up and fill the hall. Scream. Chant. Encourage. We hope we can turn these close games into wins for you all.
Olly
BCS Seahawks Coach