Welcome

Basketball England Volunteer

Opportunity Description

A fantastic volunteer opportunity has arisen to support a number of Basketball England events at the National Performance Centre in Manchester throughout April and May. The events are as follows:

• Senior Playoff Finals – Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th April 2019
• Junior Final Fours – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May 2019
• School Finals – May 11th and May 12th 2019

Volunteer roles

• Stewarding
• Team liaisons
• Court crew
• General assistance with the running of the event.

Shift times

These events are over long days, so we are happy for volunteers to work in shifts if they’d like. Alternatively, they are welcome to work all day.

• Senior Playoffs
  • Saturday 10:30 – 16:30 OR 16:30 – 21:30 OR All Day
  • Sunday 11:30 – 16:00
• JFF
  • Both days 08:30 – 13:30 OR 13:30 – 19:00 OR All Day
• School Finals
  • Saturday 09:00 – 18:30
  • Sunday 09:00 – 18:30

Venue

National Basketball Centre, Belle Vue Sports Village, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Manchester, M12 4TF.

Perks

Volunteer kit and free lunch will be provided.

If you would like to volunteer at this event, then please email Alex Fothergill on events@basketballengland.co.uk or call our office on 0300 600 1170. Alternativley, all of our opportunities are listed on the MCRVIP portal. Thanks, BE Events Team

2018-2019 Play-off Arrangements at National Basketball Performance Centre

Quarter Finals - W/C Mon 6th & Mon 13th May

The teams involved are responsible for arranging their games and must inform Tom Muldoon so he can assign game officials.

Semi Finals - Saturday 18th May at the NBPC

• 10:00 - Mens Division One
• 12:00 - Womens Premier
• 14:00 - Mens Championship
• 16:00 - Men Premier

Finals -Sunday 19th May at the NBPC

• 10:00 - Mens Division One
• 12:00 - Womens Premier
• 14:00 - Mens Championship
• 16:00 - Men Premier

Format

Top two teams in each division progress straight to the semi-final.

Quarter-final: (Fixture A) 3 vs 6 | (Fixture B) 4 vs 5. Teams arrange own games. Tom provides refs. Cost of officials to be split 50:50.

Semi-final: 1 vs Fixture B Winner | 2 vs Fixture 1 Winner. Officials provided and paid for by MABL.

Should you reach the last stages at NBPC I'm sure you will be aware of the fact that you will also be representing MABL. It will be a triumph if the occasion is remembered for a high standard of play, sportsmanship and good conduct throughout the proceedings.

Good Luck to all teams participating in this years play-offs.

Cup and Plate Final Winners

The Mens and Womens Cup/Plate final winners are below:

Mens Cup Final

Moss Side Tropics came from behind in the last quarter to beat Trafford 77-74

Womens Cup Final

Stockport Lapwings conquered Rossendale Raptors 61-36 (photo credit: Stockport Basketball Club)

Womens Plate Final

Holy Cross Angels took the Plate with a convincing win over the Stockport Starlings 90-47 (photo credit: Holy Cross Angels).

Al Malik Kaba: Died Monday 26th November in Grenada

Authored by John Cihlar

'Mal' (#9 in photo) was originally called Tony Alexander and he changed his name in the late seventies to the above. He was a talented and well-known player in the Manchester area. He came to prominence when playing for the Stretford team which became the first winners of the inaugural 'British Basketball League'. He and Kenny Walton were the mainstays of that successful team. Shortly after the title win the team toured Belgium as a 'premier English basketball' team. It was somewhat of a culture shock as the standard of basketball in Belgium was somewhat in advance of the English game. Nevertheless Mal was not overawed and impressed in every game.

When Moss Side Tropics were formed and became one of the leading teams in the Manchester area Mal became involved and mentored many of the players who came through the ranks of Tropics. His knowledge of the game and his wide experience was invaluable to that team.

After retirement he moved, with his wife, to his home in Grenada. I am not exactly sure of the cause of his death but I believe it was a problem with his lungs. I lost touch with Mal about the early nineties. I saw him occasionally around Middleton where he lived while in this country. He was always an easy person to talk to and his gentlemanly manner reflected his approach to the game of basketball.

So, this short reflection does not tell the full story of a man who was a credit to the game he chose to play. I am sure there are many still in the area who remember Mal and should they wish to correct any of the above or add to it then they should do so.

Basketball England Officiating Gameplan

Officials are an essential element to any competitive basketball game. By following the (world governing body) FIBA rules, interpretations and mechanics, it is their job to manage a game and ensure it's played in a fair and safe environment. As such, Basketball England (BE) is responsible for ensuring that there is an adequate number - and appropriate standard - of officials for all our competitions.

Over the past two years, BE have been working on the Basketball Development Model (BDM) - a research project focusing on the player pathway from all perspectives. The plan has also received input from officiating experts and the basketball community, who have been consulted throughout the process. The outcomes of the BDM are the basis for this game plan.

BE's' plan focuses on the current position and context of officiating in England and presents the vision, strategic themes, objectives and targets for officiating during the period 2018-21. You can download this here: Basketball England Officiating Gameplan.

MABL on YouTube

Videos of the 2017 Playoff Finals held at Amaechi Basketball Centre are available on our YouTube Channel.

• Mens Premier Division - Blackpool vs Tropics
• Mens Championship Division - Tameside Timberwolves vs Myerscough College
• Mens Division 1 - Cheshire Hornets 1 vs Oldham Titans
• Mens Division 2 - ESSA Academy Hurricanes vs MMU Cheshire
• Womens Premier Division - Stockport Lapwings vs Manchester Lynx 1

MABL are looking to offer local companies the opportunity to sponsor our league.

Benefits of Sponsorship

Basketball is one of the few sports in the UK where participation levels are increasing year in year out. Last year the number of people playing basketball rose by 21,800 to 152,900 each week (source Basketball England).

In Manchester and the North West in particular the sport is extremely popular, with several professional and semi-professional teams in the area and with the development of the new Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue all having a positive effect on the sport within the region.

By sponsoring MABL potential sponsors will become involved in one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and gaining access to the potential that the popularity of the sport can provide.

Ways to support the league

• Sponsor the League
• Sponsor the Tournaments
• Donate Products/Services for Tournaments
• Sponsor game officials development programmes

Other ways to sponsor

We welcome your suggestions and thoughts on sponsorship and would happily discuss any creative ideas you have.

For more information download our Sponsor Information Pack (PDF).