As the UK Government and the NBA recently announced a collaboration for an investment of £10million into building facilities and investing in grassroots basketball in the UK.
However, according to several clubs that Buzz News have spoke to, they feel the investment has shown any growth for their sides.
The Bournemouth Oaks began with two friends who shared a passion for basketball, leading them to create the team. They now play in the first division of the Dorset Basketball League.
The Bournemouth Oaks head coach, Thomas Skiotys says, “We’re trying to push the boundaries, with some really good players, getting involved with a lot of kids.
“We’ve got 150 now, first year doing it, we’ve had loads of people, probably picked up from maybe 20, 30 people. Nobody can offer them five times a week, you know, so the really good players, they appreciate it, they come in.”
Archie Boka is a co-founder of the BG Suns. The Suns, who are based out of Boscombe, also play in the Dorset Basketball League however Boka feels like The Suns haven’t seen the same impact from investment.
Boka says, “Unfortunately, with the success that the UK got with the three-on-three, Grassroots basketball is getting expensive, the expenses have just gone up year-on-year.
“We’ve been lucky to have managed to keep our subs the same ever since we started, but it’s getting tougher and tougher.
“So, I’d say within Dorset, there isn’t much that has been done for us. That’s how we see it. We see ourselves as cash cows for other teams.”
Bournemouth Oaks currently sit second in the Dorset Basketball League, whereas BG Suns in fifth place.
The two sides faced off last night, with the game ending 77-73 in favour of Bournemouth Oaks, this win secured The Oaks a place in the Dorset Basketball Association Playoffs.
With basketball continuing to be a sport growing in popularity in the UK, there is little to no doubt that we can expect to see more basketball clubs forming in Dorset, as well as the rest of the UK.
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