About the basketball club…
London United Basketball Club was established in the summer of 2002, and enjoyed a period of rapid growth for over 5 years, culminating in its successful appearance in the professional British Basketball League (the "BBL") in the 2006/07 season. Unfortunately, following the unexpected loss of its headline sponsor during the summer of 2007, the directors of London United took the decision to withdraw the Club from the BBL for the 2007/08 season after just one year in top flight British basketball.
However, this setback did not wipe out the London United brand from the London basketball landscape. London United Basketball went back to its spiritual roots in West London and established itself at Richmond upon Thames College in order to concentrate on developing young elite basketball players. More recently, London United has joined forces with Spelthorne Atoms Basketball Club to create an extensive Junior Programme under the London United Basketball Club umbrella which now enables the Club to reach all age groups from Under 10s through to Senior Level.
In its first season, London United entered EBL Division 2 and won promotion to EBL Division 1 where it spent three very successful years. The logical progression for the Club was then to join the BBL, which it was invited to do in July 2006, after the unexpected withdrawal of London Towers meant that there would otherwise have been no professional basketball club in London. In its debut season in the BBL, London United was undoubtedly the smallest outfit in terms of finance and personnel but, in spite of its diminutive size, it punched well above its weight and ended the season with qualification for the Play Offs. Arguably, London United made one of the best on-court appearances of any first year club in the history of the BBL and, if it had not been for the unfortunate events of the summer of 2007, it would still be fighting its corner amongst the heavyweights of professional British basketball.
The future …
Having made the strategic decision that the future of London United lies in producing a top quality programme for young basketball players, its aim now is to create the environment in which young players can develop to their full potential. Through its links with the local community, London United is determined to introduce as many young people to the sport of basketball as it can, and through this to teach them the necessary life skills of self discipline, teamwork and self expression, whilst at the same time introducing them to the importance of healthy living and good nutrition. Having made the strategic decision that the future of London United lies in producing a top quality programme for young basketball players, its aim is now to create an environment in which young players can develop to their full potential. Its ultimate goal is to develop a programme capable of competing regularly on a European level. International events such as the highly acclaimed Future Stars tournaments, see www.futurestars.uk.com, are used to allow the young players to have contact with, and compete against, other youngsters from Europe and further afield. Such contacts will lead to opportunities for these young players to travel to, and learn from, the expertise of other countries.
The goal …
Such high aspirations can only be achieved by forging a number of strategic partnerships. We are working with several European and British companies which sponsor London United. In addition, we are building strong links with Kingston University to enable slightly older players to continue their education in London at the highest level. London has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world and the new communities from Eastern Europe have a strong and deep basketball tradition. To reflect and serve these new "basketball literate" communities, we are linking with the Polish Basketball League in London as well as working with all kinds of media accessed by these new communities. Integration across the different communities, old and new, is our aim as we seek to learn from one another to our common good.
The community …
As well as our extensive contacts with European and other corporate partners, we understand that the key to success depends mainly on our involvement with local communities. The grass roots work of London United is embedded within the London Boroughs of Richmond, Kingston, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Ealing and Wandsworth as well as the adjoining District of Spelthorne in Surrey. We provide coaching services to senior and junior Schools and have provided basketball coaching courses in Feltham Young Offender Institution. Our community programme not only provides strong sporting expertise and coaching, but also enables schools and community groups to access educational programmes, through our links with Richmond upon Thames College and Kingston University, covering healthy living, crime prevention and other social issues.
The junior programme …
It is no exaggeration to say that London has one of the most exciting pools of athletic talent in the world. To nurture the capital's basketball talent and help in its progression, London United has established one of the top British Basketball Academy programmes in London. The Basketball Academy based at Richmond upon Thames College, see www.rutc.ac.uk/sportsacademies is modelled on European Schools of Excellence, where top athletes combine education with everyday training. Player development is also encouraged in the areas of coaching and refereeing. The Academy team benefit enormously from a structured health and fitness programme which, combined with nutrition advice, ensures that the young athletes learn as much about a healthy lifestyle as they do about elite sportsmanship.
Following its merger with Spelthorne Atoms Basketball Club, London United has created a clear progression pathway for elite athletes from an early age. Talented players can be identified and nurtured at a young age, and can progress into the Richmond Basketball Academy.
This year, London United has established a new partnership with one of the leading new Sport Academies, Harefield Academy in Hillingdon, see www.theharefieldacademy.org. In its very first season, Harefield Academy is running a London United-Harefield U14 National League programme with the intention of running run U16 and U18 programmes next season.
Opportunities for partners …
With the Olympic Games taking place in London in 2012, these are exciting times for the world of sport. We want to be instrumental in bringing a high profile Olympic sport to the youth of today and the athletes of tomorrow. We are looking for companies in London and the South East who are interested in partnering us and sharing our ambition to grow and promote basketball in London and the Greater London area. In return we offer the following benefits to our partners:
- Marketing to Primary and Secondary School children through our Link Schools
- Kit advertising exposure
- Potential TV and radio exposure through the international events that we organise such as Future Stars
- Marketing to away fans up and down the country
- Marketing via our website
- Match day programme advertising
- Courtside advertising using A boards and banners on walls at the international events that we organise such as Future Stars