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1 May 2026  3 min read

Interim Delivery Group Approved to Oversee GB Basketball Programme

The interim structure will operate for a period of up to 10 months, providing stability while work continues on a permanent long-term governance solution for the sport. It will act as an advisory and support group to Basketball England, the National Governing Body currently acting as the Accountable Body for the GB Programme following the British Basketball Federation going into voluntary liquidation in November last year.

Paul Blake, Managing Director of Newcastle Eagles, has been confirmed as chair of the group.

Core Membership

The interim delivery group will comprise:

• Paul Blake (Chair), Managing Director, Newcastle Eagles
• Nigel Walker, CEO, Basketball England
• Kieron Achara, Head of Perfomance and Pathway Development, Basketball Scotland
• Ryan Chambers, Performance Lead, Basketball Wales
• Russell Bell, British Championship Basketball, Chair
• Andy Webb, COO, Super League Basketball

Wider Consultation Group

The interim structure was agreed by the wider group of stakeholders leading the consultation process. In the interests of transparency, those representatives are:

• Super League Basketball: Chair of SLB, Laura Kaye Tomlinson
• Super League Basketball Women: Jim Saker, Andy Webb
• Basketball England: Victoria Ward, Paul Blanchard
• Basketball Scotland: David Fallon, Derek Weir
• Basketball Wales: Garmon Rhys, Gavin Williams
• British Championship Basketball: Russell Bell, Emily Clark
• Independent: Mark Clark, Sam Neter

The process continues to be independently chaired by Tim Hollingsworth, former CEO of Sport England.

Paul Blake, Chair of the Interim Delivery Group said:

“British basketball is at a critical juncture, and this interim structure gives us the framework to meet our immediate obligations to FIBA and our national programmes while the bigger conversation about long-term governance continues. My thanks to all the home country associations, leagues and stakeholders who will be bringing their collective expertise together to deliver the up-and-coming programmes. There is significant work ahead, but we start from a position of genuine collaboration.”

The interim group will focus specifically on supporting current GB programme requirements and the sport's 3x3 commitments through to the end of the financial year. Its remit is deliberately time-limited to ensure continuity of delivery while the broader consultation process continues.

While the interim structure will allow Great Britain to meet its FIBA requirements and national team commitments in a challenging financial environment, conversations continue between the Home Country Associations and key stakeholders about the long-term future of British basketball.

Further updates will follow as the consultation progresses.

This announcement follows the first meeting of stakeholders held in Newcastle on Friday 27 February, and subsequent meetings in Bristol on Monday 14 April and online on Tuesday 22 April. The consultation process is being led by the three Home Country Associations: Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales, following the liquidation of the British Basketball Federation at the end of last year and a subsequent request from FIBA to explore a future governance model for the sport in Great Britain.

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