At the recent Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly meeting it was decided that Melbourne would host the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

In Melbourne’s proposal it was accepted that male and female Championships for basketball would be held as part of the main games, following considerable lobbying from many Commonwealth representatives, notably Keith Mitchell representing England.

This is an exciting step forward for the sport of basketball in England and the rest of the Commonwealth. Basketball has been included as a team sport at the expense of cricket, a surprising move by the Australian hosts. However, England Basketball is delighted with the approval of basketball as this gives a genuine medal opportunity for both the male and female teams.

Chief Executive, Simon Kirkland, expressed England Basketball’s joy at the inclusion: ‘We are absolutely delighted that Basketball is accepted into the Commonwealth family. Basketball has previously had Commonwealth Championships outside of the main Commonwealth Games and the acceptance of basketball into the Commonwealth Games gives us a genuine medal winning opportunity’.

England Basketball has already had discussions with Sport England regarding the funding of its Senior National Teams through to 2006 and are due to meet again later in August to progress these discussions.

Trevor Brooking – Chair of Sport England commented: ‘I was delighted to hear that basketball will feature in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Sport England is already working with basketball to develop young talent through the Active Sports programme. We look forward to seeing them succeed at the Games’.

Ann Hogbin, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Council for England commented: ‘We are delighted following consistent lobbying by the English Basketball Association that basketball is accepted into the Commonwealth Games family and this is an exciting opportunity for a sport that is played across the whole of the Commonwealth to be showcased in 2006. We will give every support to England Basketball in their pursuit of medals’.

England’s Basketball Teams will also continue the commitment to the European Championships, as this is the only method of achieving the long-term objective of qualification to the Olympic games.

For further information please contact:

Emily Clarke
National League Manager
0113 290 0808 (Dir. Line)
0771 206 2132 (Mobile)
0113 239 3443 (Fax)
emily.clarke@ebbaonline.net