The funding was used to build the state-of-the-art SportsDock and house a community club basketball centre in order to grow the number of people playing the sport, sustain participation and give those with talent the opportunity to excel.
Speaking at the time, Peter Griffiths, England Basketball’s Membership and Facilities Liaison Officer, said: “England Basketball is extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to invest in a top level building project that will provide a much needed boost to basketball facilities in London. We look forward to seeing NASSA’s basketball development programme grow, increasing playing opportunities and participation at all levels of the game.”
The four-court facility became NASSA’s home when it opened in the spring of 2012 and has welcomed children and young people from across the Borough of Newham, most of them from disadvantaged communities. NASSA’s diversity — our 602 Basketball England-registered playing members speak 151 different languages and dialects between them — only adds to UEL’s multicultural flavour.
Director of Sport at UEL, David Cosford, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured England Basketball funding towards our SportsDock facility. It will have a massive impact on basketball development at the University of East London, for our partners Newham All-Star Sports Academy and the wider local, regional and national community.”
The SportsDock facility was used during the London 2012 Olympic Games as a training base by Team USA. NASSA players were able to meet their heroes, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and other members of the USA Dream Team, winners of the men’s basketball gold medal in 2012.
