Aspire Programme

The objective of the Aspire Programme is to provide quality coaching to age-appropriate players, reinforcing Basketball England’s Player Development Framework and the Aspire curriculum.

The Aspire Programme for talented 11-15-year-olds underwent a reset following the COVID-19 pandemic. The new model utilises the new super-region model and is delivered primarily through camp-based activity throughout the year:

STAGE 1 - ASPIRE SKILLS CAMPS - All Aspire participants will be involved in camp activity within their region.

STAGE 2 - ASPIRE SUPER REGION CAMPS - Selected players from the Aspire Skills Camps will move on to one of four super region camps.

STAGE 3 – ASPIRE ALL-STAR NATIONAL TOURNAMENT - An Aspire All-Star National Tournament will then take place in Summer as the final stage of the programme.

The provisional schedule for Basketball England Talent activity in 2025/26 has been released with the player nomination window open. 

Following another successful campaign in 2024/25, plans have been drawn up for the new season to engage over 2,500 young players across the England Talent Pathway. Aspire is the foundation of the Talent pathway and the first step on the route for players to have the opportunity to trial for the national teams.

The period for club coaches to nominate Aspire candidates is open until 28 August. Coaches must use the form below.

The calendar of activity has been provisionally confirmed for: 

  • Aspire Skills Camps, the nationwide programme for talented 11-15-year-olds 
  • Inter Regional Tournaments
  • Super-Region Camps
  • Aspire All-Star Tournament
  • England U14 and U15 national teams (England Talent Programme)

Provisional Talent calendar 

Aspire nominations
  • Thu 4 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025
trials
  • 1 Sep 2025 - 14 Sept 2025
Aspire Skills Camps
  • 15 Sept 2025 - 22 Feb 2026
Inter Regional Tournaments + Selection/Transfer (to 3x3 pathway/Super-Regions)
  • 21/22 Feb 2026
Super-Region Camps + Medical & PErformance Screening*
  • 25 April - 3 July 3 2026
England U14 and U15 national teams (England Talent Programme)
  • Selection Camp: 23-25 May 2026
  • U17 Home Nations Tournament: 30-31 May 2026
  • U14 and U15 Home Nations Tournaments: TBC
Aspire All-Star Tournament
  • 3x3: 4/5 July 2026
  • 5v5: 24-26 July 2026

Player nominations for 2025/26

Player eligibility for 2025/26 is for players born between 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2014:

  • 2011 = U15
  • 2012 = U15
  • 2013 = U13
  • 2014 = U13

An auxiliary window will open on 20 October to 16 November with more information will be released on this window nearer the time.