I don’t think there’s a simple answer to that question.
I’ll start off by comparing the domestic leagues/ teams in both ice hockey and basketball in England, how they are run, the level of exposure and how this has led to player improvements which in turn give us a better basis for developing players for the GB set up.
GB ice hockey being successful becomes complicated when you take into account that the EIHL allows up to 14 imports. You’d think that as a result of that GB players would suffer- but that hasn’t been the case. Rather, GB players have been pushed to work harder to justify their spot on the roster. This method has been effective if you look at the result- but of course doesn’t come without its flaws.
In the BBL GB players often seem to stagnate, but strangely their roster spot is almost always guaranteed on a squad. I think we’d have a better pool of players if teams took a punt on more players proving themselves in lower divisions, or players that are on the fringes. For example, Dusha played at Reading- wasn’t that brilliant, but was still fast-tracked back to the BBL for seemingly no reason (maybe it’s a case of better the devil you know?).
Having a higher number of imports in the EIHL has without doubt improved the quality of the league and made it more watchable too (more sponsors have been attracted too). It hasn’t gone without criticism, of course. I realise that signing large levels of imports is not always logistically possible, or financially possible but it seems to have instilled some fire in the British players, and has also sped up their progression due to playing with players that are of a higher level.
With regard to Euro competition- Riders have taken the jump and made a step in the right direction and hopefully that will give us more exposure as a basketballing nation in Europe, that can only be good for basketball in GB. Teams from EIHL have played in the CHL and that’s led to improvement in the players as it’s allowed them to experience big game pressure and a different environment for playing.
Plymouth striking a deal with the ferries to play a pre-season game in France is also another positive step for developing the league and therefore the players in it- but I remember they did it a few years back against Le Portel. Not sure if anything significant really came of it or if anyone followed up the links.
Worcester also signed a deal with a team/ uni in Spain. Not sure how that’s improved anything or how they’ve utilised that deal? It’s not been obvious from the outside looking in- maybe someone can shed some light. That could definitely improve the quality of the next generation if done correctly with 100% commitment- Spain are one of the best developers of basketball talent in Europe.
The inspiration to be a professional basketballer in GB should begin with the BBL. Teams need to set an example. They need to be professionally run by professional people- if they aren’t, what’s the point? Why would you give up a day job to be bullied by an Australian bouncer with basically no basketball credentials and his asshole mate? (The story of that saga spread further and wider than all of people probably realise- it was even briefly reported on in Cz as a result of it making BBC news). This contributes to the wider problem. Players need to be insipired, coaches and nurtured properly to achieve their highest potential by professionals who teach the players what it takes in terms of play and conduct. All of this is conducive to becoming a GB athlete.
The EIHL was televised on Sky Sports until recently. Think I may have seen it occasionally on PremierSports? I think it’s appaling that we’ve reached 2018 and coverage is still primitive for the top level of basketball in our country. That doesn’t make it accessible to hardly anyone, therefore doesn’t inspire people like it should, llet alone people outside the country. You really have to go out of your way to watch a game, thankfully UniLad and freesports did a good job of trying to change that last year. Long may it continue.
Similarly and finally for now, I think we need to expect a bit more as fans- we shouldn’t just turn up for the sing-song so to speak. We shouldn’t berate our players or coaches (this isn’t football!)- but similarly we should encourage their success and expect improvement. We pay to watch so we should expect visible steps forward. In ice hockey teams often strike up what is called a ‘2-way’ deal, where players on the fringes can train and play some games with teams in the EIHL, as well as playing the league below as a more central, star player. They play and train constantly and therefore improve massively at a rapid rate. Teams in lower divisions benefit- teams in lower divisions benefit. This same model is used by Czech teams for Czech players in basketball, and the players seem to develop far quicker. Maybe this idea/ model could be implemented here? The closest model I can think of is teams striking a deal with uni’s, but it’s not quite the same. I suspect it’s not possible due to registration.
I’ve also read about the mess involving ‘the powers at the top’. I won’t write about that as I’ll be here forever. Perhaps others can touch on that as it is HUGELY important to why we have not been a success at national team level.
I’m massively passionate about this as ice hockey and basketball are two sports I’ve been involved in for years. Please feel free to add to or disagree with what I’ve said! My thoughts may not have been worded/ organised as well as I’d like- but people can get the basic point! 😉
