'Huge success' for London Cup

The first-ever London Cup - a basketball tournament for women of Chinese and East Asian heritage living in the UK - has been called a success by its organisers.

Taking place on the 1 June at the University of East London SportsDock, the tournament saw six teams, over 72 players, eight referees, and 20 table officials, along with a dedicated team of volunteers and support staff take part in a full day of competitive and inspiring basketball.

Players travelled from across the UK – including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Warwick, and Coventry – to participate.

The final featured London No Way and Thistle – a combined team representing Edinburgh and Glasgow – with Thistle taking home the championship after a close and competitive game.

Guang Yang, representative of London No Way Basketball Club, said:

"This tournament showed us just how much potential there is in women’s basketball, especially within underrepresented communities. We saw not only great talent on the court, but also enthusiasm from new referees and volunteers who now want to stay involved. It’s a clear reminder that when we create the right platform, people show up — and they stay.

"For many of our table officials and volunteers, this was their first time participating in a basketball event. With the support of our pre-game training and guidance throughout the day, they gained valuable experience and developed a real enthusiasm for the sport. Many have since expressed an interest in continuing their involvement, whether as officials, volunteers, or players.

"What stood out most was the level of community engagement. Following Basketball England’s press coverage, we received multiple enquiries from women eager to participate in future events. This confirmed that there is a real appetite for basketball – the key is to reach the right audiences and make the sport more visible and accessible.

"We’re proud to be part of this growing movement and look forward to working with Basketball England to build more inclusive opportunities for women in sport."

Founded in August 2024, No Way is a London-based women’s basketball club that aims to provide a supportive and competitive space for British East and South East Asian (ESEA) women to play basketball — a group often underrepresented in UK grassroots sports.

Through this tournament, the organisation aims to build community, boost visibility, and inspire more Asian girls to get involved in the game.

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