The London Coaches Program is a partnership funded by the Mayor of London and the National Basketball Association (NBA) and delivered by Basketball England
It was delivered during an initial three-year program, between 2023 and 2025, to create a managed network of development, training and delivery opportunities for 500 new community coaches aged 16 to 30.
The program has been extended for a further three years, commencing in 2026.
During this new phase, the LCP will continue its commitment to developing the next generation of young basketball coaches across London. Each September, a new cohort will embark on a structured 12-month journey with the LCP, gaining valuable skills and experience.
Over the next three years, the LCP will also provide participating coaches with access to paid opportunities. A range of pathways will be introduced and shared with the LCP community, offering diverse experiences across different levels of the game, organisations, and participant groups.
Through these initiatives, LCP alumni will play a pivotal role in expanding the reach of basketball, bringing the sport to new communities and engaging a wider range of participants.
The program is free for those selected to take part.
The application for the available spots for the sixth cohort of coaches is open until 31 August 2026.
Participants receive a 12-month education and training program, covering all the elements needed to become a great coach, both on and off the basketball court, including:
- Basketball England - Community Coach Award
- First aid training
- Safeguarding education
- Mental health and welfare education
- BE Officiating course
- Online access to NBA and BE coach education resources
- In-person clinics and education
- Mentoring support
- Basketball England coach license and insurance
- DBS check
- Basketballs and coaching uniform
Program objectives
- To create and manage a network of development, training and delivery opportunities for 180 new young coaches aged 16-30
- To provide deployment opportunities for 90 newly-trained coaches, ensuring the delivery of community-based basketball activities in targeted, underserved areas
- To help create the conditions for potential coach employment via a London-wide development and assignment program
- To provide a coaching network to develop young people and signpost them to clubs
- To target ethnically diverse, deprived or underserved communities and locations in London
How the Program works
Coaches - participants of cohorts six onwards
The enrolled coaches receive education, development and mentoring both on and off the court.
The Program:
- Builds confidence
- Improves life skills, coaching skills and employability
- Connects coaches with other coaches, clubs, teams, mentors, and tutors through the LCP network
- Provides on-the-job training and work experience
- Potentially leads to new employment opportunities
Coaches– Paid coaching opportunities for the LCP alumni
The coaches participating in the paid coaching pathways benefit from enhanced professional development, structured support, and mentoring.
The Program:
- Offers paid coaching opportunities, enabling practical experience alongside professional growth
- Provides continued professional development
- Provides structured group mentoring, with a dedicated mentor supporting and guiding coaches collectively in their roles
Are you an LCP alumni member looking to get involved? You can find more information through the link below.
Find out more about paid opportunities
Community players
Eight to 14-year-olds in schools, clubs and communities in London benefit from the new coaches enrolled on the Program.
The Program:
- Develops basketball skills and playing opportunities
- Delivers mentoring - coaches within the program coach and support around 20,000 youngsters over the course of the program as part of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s promise to give 100,000 people a mentor
Clubs, organisations and communities
Clubs, organisations and communities across London receive a range of support and benefits.
The Program:
- Supports young people from ethnically diverse, deprived or underserved communities
- Encourages Londoners to be more active
- Helps clubs and organisations host community-based sessions
- Gives clubs and organisations the opportunity to nominate members for the coaching program
- LCP Club Financial Support – An opportunity for London clubs to appoint LCP Assistant Coaches, with funding provided through the programme
Info on LCP Club Financial Support
The partners
- The Mayor of London provides funding, support and oversight to improve the health, opportunities and employability for young people and communities
- The NBA provides funding and uses the power and recognition of its brand, including Jr. NBA, to promote the Program. It provides access to online coach resources and supplies coaches with basketballs and co-branded coaching uniform and equipment
- Basketball England operates the Program, in partnership with Mayor of London and NBA, employing two members of full-time staff based in London to oversee and manage the delivery and training/mentoring programs
To find out more about the London Coaches Program, please contact us using the button below.