WELCOME TO LONDON AMATEUR BASKETBALL LEAGUE


About the League
Welcome to our website!  We are the London Amateur Basketball League.  Founded in 2006, we have now become one of the largest amateur leagues in the UK .  From a mere handful of players and referees back in 2006, we now not only run our own basketball league, development programme for officials, appointments service in London and keep growing.  The league is run by the league secretary who also attends the league financial affairs with the assistance of the treasurer.  We register players, coaches and officials with Basketball England. 
 
We follow the central venue format.  This season 2016/2017 we continue to play in Bow School (Twelvetrees Crescent, E3 3QW) and continue with both men’s and women’s competitions.  The league runs a regular season (league and cup tournaments) from October to April and continues in the summer with a men's summer league.  The fees for this season are £1,250 per team and include payment of court bookings, officials’ fees, club registration with Basketball England , website and trophies fees.  All the members of the league committee are volunteers. 
 
We run a development programme for officials in the London area with our sister organisation the London Academy for Basketball Officials (LABO).  The Academy runs courses (referees and table officials), workshops and provides tutors for our pool of officials. Our postal address is:

London Amateur Basketball League
Office 147
33 Parkway 
London NW1 7PN

You can also contact us on amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk
 
In the name of the League Committee, I invite you to visit our website and find out about our competitions by visiting the site or, even better, joining one of the clubs.  Or setting a club yourself!

George Velho, Chairman of the League Committee. Read more...


Our Teams

Interested in playing for our league?  Click here

Interested in officiating for our league?  Click heresix 

Interested in using our Appointments Service?  Click here
Latest News

Officials' Clinic for 2016/2017
The clinic is mandatory for all officials in our pool.  It will take place on Saturday 17th September. 

Website Update 
We are in the process of updating our website for this season. 

New Fixtures/Appointments Tool
We are in the process of integrating a new tool this season. Read more...

Licensing & Registration
All clubs, players and officials need to be licensed for this season. 
Basketball Officials' Courses
We are arranging a number of referees' courses this season. 
 LONDON AMATEUR BASKETBALL LEAGUE SEASON 2017-2018

VENUE:  BOW SCHOOL, TWELVETREES CRESCENT, LONDON E3 3QW

The season 2017-2018 will start in September. As last season, we plan to have two men's divisions and and a weekdays recreational leagues. All clubs, players, coaches and officials must be registered with Basketball England. All games will be played at a central venue. The league will provide officials, equipment, administration and court supervisors, as we have always done. 

We are looking into the possibility of a Men's Division Three.  

MEN'S DIVISION ONE

We will have eight to ten teams playing each other twice. The top four teams will qualify for play-offs, unless the number of teams indicates a different format. We will invite the 8 teams that competed in this division last season and the two teams that were promoted from the Men's Division Two. Teams that have confirmed are shown below: 

Teams confirmed (6): London Amazonians, Southside Titans, Soul, Mandraikos BCL, London Sharks and The Smurfs

Budget: £1,700 fee + £8 per adult player + £15 per adult coach/official + £70 deposit


MEN'S DIVISION TWO

We will have eight to ten teams playing each other twice. This number may change.  The top four teams will qualify for play-offs. We will invite the teams that competed in this division last season. If there are places available, we will invited the clubs competing in the Summer League 2017. Club secretaries will need to confirm their participation and make a first contribution towards the league fees before the start of the league. 

Teams confirmed (3): Greenwich Admirals, London Spartans, and London Commodores.  

Budget: £1,580 + £8 per adult player + £15 per adult coach/official + £70 deposit


MEN’S CUP TOURNAMENT

This competition will be mandatory for all men’s teams competing in the league, as last season. The fees will be confirmed. At present we plan a £75 per round and team paid in advance.

Please contact us on amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk for further information.  

TEAMS THAT ARE RECRUITING PLAYERS

The following teams are in need of players for next season.  You can contact them directly; these are their contact details:  

Greenwich Admirals:  Contact Brian Jones on brian@greenwichbasketball.co.uk

London Commodores:  Contact the coach on m3alab@gmail.com

London RedStars:  Contact the coach on londonredstars@yahoo.com 

Southend Titans:  Contact the club secretary on ignacio.morejon@gmail.com 

If you would like to start a new team, please let us know on amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk 

ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE ON 8th OCTOBER 2016

Juan Yañez, a player for London Sharks, sadly and unexpectedly passed away in early October in London.  The league committee extend our heartfelt condolences at this sad time to the family, friends, and club.  

The clubs have respected his memory by having a minute of silence on Sunday 9th October 2016 before the tip off for the match London Shadows vs. London Sharks.  He will be remembered and missed by the basketball community he belonged to.  

LONDON SHARKS ARE THE CHAMPIONS

The current season has come to an end yesterday Sunday 30th April.  London Sharks won the Men's Division One play-off finals, beating Soul 69-62 in a thrilling last minute.  London Sharks had a blitz start with a 20-0 in the first 7 minutes of the match.  The first quarter finished with a 27-9 result.  Soul managed to end the first half 5 points behind (39-34) and were 55-55 wit 4' left to the end of the final.  

Both teams fought to their best and had a significant crowd to provide them with constant and courageous support.  The final could have gone either way with 4' left and it was London Sharks that kept more possession time and made use of free throws.  

London Sharks joined LABL in season 2014/2015 in the Men's Division Two and won the promotion into the Men's Division One on that season.  They have won the play-off finals on their third season thanks to a balanced bench and strong defence.  In the photo, George Velho (chairman of the league) hands over the trophy to London Sharks' captain, Agris Alksnis.  

The league made the decision of introducing the 24" in all Men's Division One fixtures in the second half of the season.  We have also introduced 3 person-officiating in some fixtures and most of the play-off events. This has had a positive effect on the overall quality of the competition. 

Congratulations to London Sharks on their success and we wish them the best in seasons to come.  

MANDRAIKOS BCL WINS DIVISION TWO FINAL


Mandraikos BCL won the Men's Division Two play-off final on the 14th May after beating London Amazons.  This was a postponed final.  Mandraikos BCL dominated the final in the scorebook and on the court.  They had  brought a full squad to beat London Amazonians 79-63.  

Sotirios Routis (head coach) stated that 'I am glad we made it in the end after four years of hard try.  It was a great journey'.  The club has been playing in the London league for four years and this is the first time they are successful in a final appearance.  We are sure this is not the last piece of silverware they take to their shelves.  

Mandraikos BCL will join London Amazonians in the Men's Division One next season.  This is a well deserved promotion for two teams that have dominated the regular season and play-offs.  

SOUL WINS THE CUP FINAL

Soul has won the Men's Cup final on the 23rd April after beating Mandraikos BCL.  Soul had been defeated in previous seasons (Cup and play-offs) and were hungry for silverware.  The final was dominated by Soul from the start; Mandraikos BCL kept distances until 5 minutes to the end of the game when Soul's advantage increased by the minute. 

Soul is the proud winner of the Cup final this season which is a reward they deserve for all their hard work in season 2016-2017. They won the regular season with 11 wins and 3 loses.   

In the photo, George Velho (chairman of the league) hands over the trophy to Soul's captain, Louis Genus-Rhoden, with Ade Adeyeye (league treasurer) on his right.  We thank Soul for their sportsmanship and wish them the best in the future.  
REFEREES AND TABLE OFFICIALS COURSES

We are running a number of courses in the next months.  

Level 3 Referee Course (£150 for both sessions)

Session 1:  9th September, 10am to 2pm classroom, 2pm to 6pm basketball court at Bow School.  
Session 2:  10th September, 10am to 2pm classroom, 2pm to 6pm basketball Court at Bow School.  

The courses are part of the development programme in partnership with the London Academy for Basketball Officials.  There are opportunities for candidates to become referees, tutors, observers and mentors within the officiating community.  

Candidates may apply for a grant to the Ian Pollard Development Fund.  They can also make arrangements with the league to pay fees by instalments.  

Venues, fees and requirements to join the courses depend on the level.  Please contact us for further information:  amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk 
FUNDING FOR OFFICIALS

Ian Pollard Development Fund

The Ian Pollard Development Fund (IPDF) was created in honour of the excellent British FIBA referee who was passionate about the development of referees from grass roots to international levels.

The aim of the fund is to help the development of referees throughout the UK, by giving part funding of any relevant activity, course or project that improves the skills, experience and/or technical knowledge of officiating. It’s designed to be used in conjunction with your own investment into becoming a better official. 

If you think you can qualify for a grant of this kind, you should download the application form and send to the below address supported by a covering letter. 

All applications will be considered by the committee and awards will be allocated in January, April and August of each year.
 
Please forward applications to:
 
Ian Pollard Development Fund
18 Champions Way
South Woodham Ferrers
Chelmsford, Essex
CM3 5NJ
 
IPDF Trustees - Mandy Pollard, Rob Hickman, Keith Williams, Neil Wilkinson & Dale Aitcheson

3X3 TOURNAMENT (19th, 20th August 2017)

This is a 3x3 men's tournament that will take place on two days (Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August 2017) at Bow School. The first 12 teams to pay the fee will be accepted. If more than 12 teams are interested, priority is to newly registered players. 

Fee: £60 per team
Teams: 3 players + 2 substitutes
Venue: Bow School, Twelvetrees Crescent, London E3 3QW
Dates: 3rd and 4th June
Time: 10am to 3pm both day

Pool 1:  Chelsea Cavaliers, Southwark Sport, 
Pool 2:  London Jaguars, Poplar Panthers, 

Please contact us on amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk for more information.  The league will award a £100 discount to the winning team if they enter the Basketball Summer League 2017 only.  

BASKETBALL SUMMER LEAGUE 2017

The Basketball Summer League will take place at Bow School on weekends.  It wills start on Saturday 1st July and will end on Sunday 13th August.  There will be ten days of competition; all games will be as per FIBA regulations.  Maximum of 10 teams in 2 pools of 5 each.  Each team will play against each other in their pool once plus at least one play-off game.  Minimum 5 games.  If a team wins the summer league, they would play an extra 2 games (semi-final and final).  There will be slots for friendly games too.  

Venue:  Bow School
Dates:  1.07, 2.07, 9.07, 22.07, 23.07, 30.07 (Quarter-finals), 6.08 (Semi-finals), and 13.08 (Finals)
Fee:  £420

Pool 1:  Greenwich Admirals, London Commodores, Team Trojans, and Persian Gulf
Pool 2:  London Patriots, Viesulas, LTeam, and EY Beamers

The winner will receive a £150 discount if they enter the league next season and they are a newly registered club with BE.  

Please contact us on amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk if you require further information.  

SUMMER LEAGUE CALENDAR (TO BE CONFIRMED)

Day 1, Sunday 2nd July

10:15 Greenwich Admirals-42, London Commodores-48

11:35 London Patriots-50, Viesulas-78

13:00 Friendly:  Southwark Pride vs. London RedStars


Day 2, Sunday 9th July 

10:15 Greenwich Admirals vs. Team Trojans (Postponed)

11:35 London Patriots-55, LTeam-57

13:00 Friendly:  

14:30 London Commodores-45, Persian Gulf-55

 

 Sunday 16th July

10:15 LTeam vs. EY Beamers

11:35 Greenwich Admirals-40, Team Trojans-96


Day 3, Saturday 22nd July

10:15 Viesulas vs. LTeam 

11:35 London Patriots vs. EY Beamers

13:00 Team Trojans vs. Persian Gulf

14:30 Friendly:  London RedStars vs. London Commodores


 Day 4, Sunday 23rd July

10:15 Greenwich Admirals vs. Persian Gulf

11:35 Viesulas vs. EY Beamers

13:00 London Commodores vs. Team Trojans,


Day 5, Sunday 30th July

10:15 Quarter-final 1

11:35 Quarter-final 2

13:00 Quarter-final 3

14:30 Quarter-final 4


Day 6, Sunday 6th August

11:15 Semi-final 1: 

13:35 Semi-final 2: 

14:30 Friendly:  

 

Day 7, Sunday 13th August

10:15 Friendly:  Streatham Sonics

11:35 Friendly 

13:00 Friendly

14:30 Final: 

 

Pool 1

P

W

L

F

Points

 

London Commodores

 

2

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

3

 

Persian Gulf

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

Team Trojans

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

Greenwich Admirals

 

2

 

0

 

2

 

0

 

2

Pool 2

P

W

L

F

Points

 

LTeam

 

2

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

3

 

Viesulas

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

London Patriots

 

2

 

0

 

2

 

0

 

2

 

EY Beamers

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

Updated: 21st July 2017
Website & content design: Mark Cheese