London Coaches Program – Club Financial Support
London Coaches Program – Club Financial Support
The London Coaches Programme (LCP) is a partnership initiative funded by the Mayor of London and the National Basketball Association (NBA), and delivered by Basketball England.
The programme was initially implemented over three years (2023–2026) with the aim of establishing a structured network of development, training, and delivery opportunities for 500 new community coaches aged 16 to 30.
Following its success, the programme has been extended for a further three years (2026–2029) with a refreshed design. The LCP will continue to support the qualification of new coaches across London, with a new cohort commencing each September.
As part of this new phase, the programme will introduce paid coaching opportunities for individuals who are, or have been, part of the LCP.
One of the proposed pathways under consideration is the provision of financial support to clubs to appoint an assistant coach. These positions would be filled by LCP coaches, further strengthening the connection between the programme and the local basketball community.
What will London clubs receive from this financial support?
The LCP Financial Support programme will fund assistant coach positions for selected clubs across London.
In the first year of the programme, the LCP management team will select 10 clubs to benefit from this funding. The key conditions are outlined below:
- Funding period: September 2026 to June 2027
- Allocation: 1 LCP assistant coach per club
- Sessions covered: Up to 4 sessions per week
- Rate: £20 per session (based on a 60-minute session)
In addition to supporting clubs, LCP coaches appointed as assistant coaches will receive further development opportunities through the programme, including:
- Basketball England coaching licence
- Level 2 Club Award qualification
Eligibility Criteria (London Clubs)
- Location: Clubs must be based within one of the 32 London boroughs.
- Governance: Clubs should meet Basketball England Level 1 Club Standards.
- Membership: Clubs must have a minimum of 30 registered members.
- Inclusivity: Clubs should operate both female and male teams.*
* Exceptions may be considered in specific circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria (LCP Coaches)
- Qualification: Must have completed the Community Coach Award.
- Licensing: Must hold an active Basketball England coaching licence (funded by the LCP).
Funding Cycle
July
- LCP Club Financial Support programme opens for applications from London clubs.
August
- Applications are received and reviewed by the LCP Management Team.
- Applicants are notified of outcomes (approved or rejected).
- Feedback is provided to unsuccessful applicants.
- Service Level Agreements are completed with approved clubs.
- LCP coaches are selected and assigned to clubs as Assistant Coaches.
September
- First instalment of project funding (50%) is paid to successful organisations.
- LCP coaches begin delivering sessions under the supervision and mentoring of clubs.
January
- Second instalment of project funding (50%) is paid to organisations.
End of Funding Period: Monitoring and Evaluation
The monitoring and evaluation process is designed to assess the effectiveness and impact of the funding period, demonstrate the value of the support provided, and inform decisions regarding the continuation of funding. It will enable the LCP Management Team to identify successful approaches, highlight areas for improvement, mitigate risks associated with future delivery, and support evidence-based funding decisions.
Throughout the funding period, monthly meetings will be held with London clubs participating in the LCP Club Financial Support Programme to monitor progress, discuss challenges, and provide ongoing guidance and support.
At the conclusion of the funding period, funded clubs will be required to submit a final report outlining how the LCP Club Financial Support has contributed to their organisation’s development and objectives.
The final submission must include:
- End-of-funding period review/report
- Final financial report
- Total number of participants engaged
- Evidence of increased membership and/or participation
- Success stories and case studies
- Impact assessment (undertaken by the LCP Management Team to evaluate overall impact and sustainability of the funding)
In addition, the LCP Management Team may conduct surveys and collect feedback from LCP coaches, participants, stakeholders, and funded organisations to further evaluate the programme's effectiveness, measure outcomes, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Application Process
Before applying, please review the following guidance:
- Carefully read and understand the information outlined on this page, the LCP Club Financial Support and Eligibility Criteria.
- Ensure your organisation meets all required criteria before submitting an application.
Once you have completed these checks, please proceed with the following steps:
- Ensure you provide a detailed plan outlining how your club intends to utilise the LCP Assistant Coach, including their roles and responsibilities, coaching activities, and the expected impact on both player development and the club’s overall growth.
The LCP Management Team will review all applications. You may be contacted if further information or clarification is required.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.
- If successful: You will be required to enter into a funding agreement, which will outline the terms of the award, including monitoring and evaluation requirements.