British Basketball, alongside the basketball Home Countries, are currently conducting important research into coaching practice and employment in the UK. The aim from the research is to allocate funding to improve services to employed basketball coaches.

 

The first stage research involves the distribution of a questionnaire which invites coaches to comment their current coaching circumstances. The Performance Management Group of British Basketball recognises the need for investment in the development of British coaches so an audit is necessary through the questionnaire.

 

The questionnaire will provide British Basketball with an initial audit of the coaching workforce within basketball in the UK. The data found will be used to evidence the resourcing of those coaches engaged with British Basketball and the Home Countries on the Performance Pathway in schools or clubs. By gathering baseline data through this research, strategic and relevant training, as well as education opportunities, will be provided to better assist player development.

 

British Basketball's Head of Performance, Warwick Cann outlined the need for the research: "This project is another step to better understand and identify the needs of full-time professional coaches.

 

"The questionnaire will start the process of quantifying the level of professionally engaged coaches in the home countries and will be a valuable starting point to look at the serious issue of the lack of numbers of professional coaches in the UK."

 

Standard Life GB women's head coach, Tom Maher commented on the research being undertaken: "Any project that supports coaching will help the game to improve in the home countries."

 

Standard Life GB senior men's head coach Chris Finch added: "As a long-time coach in England I think this project and questionnaire will help the Governing Bodies to better support coaches by identifying who our current professional coaches are."

 

Participants in the questionnaire are eligible to receive GB tickets for games in July, invitations to future coaching conferences and ongoing information distribution relevant to their level of employment or engagement.

 

The questionnaire is available on line here and coaches in the Performance Pathway will be emailed to ask them to complete. 

 

All coaches at all levels are encouraged to go online and complete the simple but very important survey.