Implementing the Competition
Review: Basketball
Introduction
The competition review identified that we should work through a sport-by-sport
approach, upholding the following principles:
•
Quality competition at any level will lead to an increase in participation, higher
levels of competition and a better student experience
•
AoC Sport should provide appropriate competition for students relevant to NGBs,
the needs of students and colleges
•
AoC Sport competition should be based on educational ethos and values.
In seeking to implement the review, there are occasions where the views of students,
colleges and NGBs as to the best way of achieving these principles do not always align.
As the lead organisation for college sport, it is AoC Sport’s role to facilitate discussions
between NGBs and colleges so that the aims of both can be achieved, and the national
strategy for college sport can be jointly implemented.
At the National Operations Advisory Group meeting last week, a discussion regarding
the format of the basketball competition at the National Championships highlighted
where differences of perspective can occur, and also exposed the fact that AoC Sport
needs to improve its consultation and decision making processes. We recognise this and
are running an additional consultation to address this issue.
This paper explains the context and background to the discussion, and outlines the
proposal from Basketball England. In future we will provide papers on major proposals
in advance of meetings of the National Operations Advisory Group.
Background to the proposal
Basketball England’s new strategy seeks to develop better playing opportunities for
players at all levels. They are seeing a high drop-out rate at age 18 due to overplaying
and therefore need to create appropriate competition opportunities to encourage more
players to get involved in the game.
Basketball England have submitted their strategy to Sport England which includes the
need to address the issue of overplaying and achieve a stronger base of colleges,
schools and clubs competing.
Drawing on AoC Sport’s insight into the specific challenges and opportunities in college
sport, Basketball England believe that college basketball should be a central part of this
strategy. Growing participation below the elite level is also a central plank within Fit for
College, Fit for Work, Fit for Life, the new national strategy for college sport.
The need for change
In order to achieve our joint objectives of growing the game, we need to address some
of the issues with the current structure. The issues identified by colleges, AoC Sport
and Basketball England are:
1. We are seeing the same players competing in all competitions – AoC Sport cups,
leagues and National Championships.
2. The current format of the National Championships is unsuitable for the best
players (5 v 5 with a 10 minute running clock is very unsatisfying for the serious
player).
3. The additional travelling or the choice that colleges, students and college staff
have to make when their league playoffs clash with the National Championships,
as they did this year.
4. The same college or colleges are involved in the final stages of every
competition, and other colleges do not enter because they know they have no
chance of getting anywhere. Other students / other colleges miss out because
the same colleges / team win time and time again.
5. A significant amount of staff time and resources (from AoC Sport, colleges
themselves and the NGB) is focused around the same players in multiple
competitions, rather than developing the sport and getting more people involved.
As an organisation representing all students, AoC Sport cannot continue to run
three competitions for the same top basketball players.
The level of support we receive as a sector from Basketball England will be far greater if
we can support them with their strategic objectives. Currently they commit a significant
amount of staff time and technical support to the National Championships. They cannot
however continue to provide support, officials, funding or branding if we stick to the
current format and rulings of 5v5 with EABL players, as this does not align to their
strategic objectives.
Proposal
The proposal put forward is to focus the current EABL players on the competitions in
leagues, play-offs and prestigious, high level Cup Finals. The National Championships
would then be a new, competitive event, opened up to a new set of players, growing
participation and retaining high level competition but through a different format of the
game, broadening our scope.
The proposal therefore is to change the format of our current 5v5 competition at the
National Championships to 3v3 with no EABL players registered. This will allow us to
support Basketball England to create more competition within the sector by providing
competition in every region, through regional tournaments, that can cater for more
teams. We would also receive technical assistance, officials, staff time and other
support from Basketball England.
This proposal aligns not only to Basketball England’s strategic plans, but also with
International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
We have trialled 3v3 with the sector through our national event opportunities, which has
proved to be a great success and there is a high level of demand for this format of the
game. This proposal would see the successful national 3v3 competition rolled out to all
regions through the regional tournaments, with a high class event at the National
Championships, replacing the national event.
The reasons for and benefits of the change are:
1. To increase participation and competition in the game. More players would play
because the same players would not be involved in all three competitions.
2. To allow for more teams to enter - more teams can be accommodated playing
across half court, enabling more games to be played than the full court format.
3. To retain a high level of competition at the Championships, with a small sided
version to broaden our scope of delivery (similar to football, which is small sided
at the Championships and full size in leagues and cups)
4. To avoid overplaying of players (EABL players would be excluded from the
Championships, allowing them to focus on leagues, play-offs and cup
competitions.)
5. To provide a better experience for all players, with more game time in an
exciting, high energy format.
6. To address the issues outlined in the need for change section of this paper.
The format changing does not mean that the quality of competition dilutes; it still
remains a competition not a participation event.
3v3 is recognised by Basketball England as a competitive format of the game and is a
thriving format across the country. Aligning some of our competition (National
Championships) to Basketball England’s allows players a smooth transition from college
competition into community competition, supporting our students to adopt a sporting
habit for life.
What will 3v3 look like?
The proposed change will see 3v3 competition played across half courts at both regional
tournaments and at the national championships.
The game will continue to be played against a 10 minute running clock. Changes will be
made to squad size and court size, with a maximum squad size of six, playing on half
courts. Players can continue to roll on and off, which coupled with the smaller squad
size will allow all players to gain more court time and allow for greater development.
At its core we are using 3v3 to drive increased levels of participation, allowing those
students competing in intra college activity a direct pathway into competition
opportunities. The new format also allows for more games to be played and for all
players to play a wider role in the game. From a coaching perspective this format is a
great coaching tool for developing players, both from a defensive and offensive point of
view.
Growing participation
We recognise that a smaller squad size but more teams may mean no initial increase in
the number of players involved in regional tournaments, but numbers of players overall
throughout the year playing in leagues, cups, regional tournaments and National
Championships will increase because colleges will be encouraged to bring different
players from those already competing at the highest level. The new format will
therefore fill a gap for players who do not currently have the opportunity to compete at
regional and national level, increasing the numbers of players overall.
We would like your feedback: please complete the consultation survey at
http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ZW77E/