British Wheelchair Basketball has today launched the next step in its ambitious long-term strategy as BWB begins its search for High Performance Partnerships across the university sector.
Launching the search for exciting new partnerships for the sport, BWB is inviting the university sector to formally submit an Expression of Interest to work collaboratively with the NGB to support and enable the continued growth of the sport.
The collaboration will specifically focus upon the development of four ‘High Performance Partnerships’ (HPP) within university settings. The HPPs will be centres of excellence for wheelchair basketball in the UK and will focus on several areas, including developing world-class standard wheelchair basketball athletes, coaches and workforce, encourage a ‘dual career’ approach and supporting the development of leagues and competitions.
The launch of the HPPs are an important element of BWB’s 2019-2024 strategy and long-term aims, including the first step towards the creation of a Women’s Premier League, the world’s first professional women’s wheelchair basketball league.
Although the HPPs will have a specific remit of supporting the development of the GBR Performance Pathway, they will also link together BUCS teams and Community Clubs to maximise impact and sustainability across the sport.
To support the development and growth of the High Performance Partnership, BWB will commit investment into coaching and competitive leagues to ensure these critical relationships are effectively nurtured.
With today’s announcement coming just weeks after the sport’s formal inclusion into the BUCS Competition Programme for the 2020-21 season, this marks the beginning of a game-changing year for wheelchair basketball and university sport, and the start of exciting new partnerships for the sport.
The next steps
Universities have until 5pm on 2nd October 2020 to submit their Expression of Interest to t.shepperson@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk.
The Expression of Interest document can be viewed and downloaded here.
A partner briefing is being held at 2pm on 24th September 2020 for any Universities interested in finding out more. Please contact t.shepperson@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk if you would like to attend.
