NLA PARTNERSHIP – London Basketball Network

NEXT LEVEL
BASKETBALL
ACADEMIES

WHERE PREPARATION
MEETS OPPORTUNITY

Make your college the centre of London’s basketball economy
developing elite athletes, qualified coaches
and the workforce that powers the game.

We are London’s only fully integrated basketball performance and workforce development ecosystem — currently open to new partner colleges for 2026. Our partnerships empower institutions to attract more students, create real jobs, and secure regional exclusivity in a market that’s grown 50% since 2021.

BOOK A DISCOVERY MEETING

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD

Why London’s basketball boom is your biggest strategic opportunity in post-16 education.

Basketball participation across England has surged 50% since 2021, with London driving the boom — home to more than 500,000 active players across community, club, and school programmes.

With over half-million secondary school students in London, basketball now ranks as the second most popular team sport — the heartbeat of a youth culture growing faster than any other.

At the centre of that movement stands the London Basketball Network (LBN) — a unified ecosystem connecting the Community Basketball League (London’s largest grassroots youth league), Hoopstars (the city’s leading structured coaching programme), and Midnight Madness (Britain’s most iconic summer basketball event, returning with a youth focus in 2026).

Collectively, the network delivers partner access to more than 15,000 active Y10 & Y11 basketball players across the capital.

As the exclusive academy partner of the London Basketball Network, Next Level Academies give colleges unrivalled access to a massive, motivated, and fast-growing talent pipeline — connecting education directly to London’s basketball economy and powering both elite performance and workforce development across the city.

Post-16 gap across London

Academy supply lags 50% participation boom

Y11 players left behind — smart colleges step in

+50% participation growth since 2021

England's fastest-growing team sport

Demand is exploding

509,000+ secondary students (Y7–Y11)

London's core recruitment base

Your future students

15,000 players in our network

Actively engaged loyal audience

Immediate recruitment channel for colleges

THE NEXT LEVEL SYSTEM

A unique ‘triple threat’ offer that reaches more new students
and creates deeper impact than traditional academies

Next Level Academies transform your college into a three-tier basketball and workforce development hub — ensuring every student who loves the game has a place to learn, play, develop and progress through to building a future in basketball, whether on or off the court.

Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Rising Stars operate as one integrated system: from elite performance to development to career pathways, all under your roof, all connected to the London Basketball Network.

TIER 1
VARSITY

ELITE PERFORMANCE

For top prospects competing at the highest level. Where daily training, international competition, and professional coaching prepare players for scholarships, contracts, and national recognition.

10 training sessions per week
Professional coaching
Strength & Conditioning
Sports Psychology
2 games per week
International exposure
US/UK scholarship support
Professional player pathways
Academy tracksuits & kits
Ambassador Program
Sports Mentorship

TIER 2
JUNIOR VARSITY

DEVELOPMENT

For serious players building towards elite level. A structured performance pathway balancing competition, skill growth, and academic focus — preparing athletes to move up or branch into coaching and leadership roles.

4 training sessions per week
Professional coaching
1 game per week
Gym & performance support
Coaching qualifications
Officiating qualifications
Basketball work experience

TIER 3
RISING STARS

PARTICIPATION

For students who love the game and want to stay involved. Structured sessions, team play, and hands-on experience across the basketball industry — building confidence, qualifications, and employability.

2 training sessions per week
1 game every 2 weeks
Coaching qualifications
Officiating qualifications
Apprenticeships

Together, these three tiers form a fully integrated academy system — ensuring every motivated player finds their pathway, talent is developed, potential is realised and every opportunity is connected. Your college becomes the recognised home for both elite basketball performance and basketball career development in your borough — powered by the Next Level system with the London Basketball Network resource behind it.

WHY COLLEGES PARTNER WITH NEXT LEVEL

The Partnership Advantage — attract students, enhance reputation
and generate real community impact.

Attract & Retain Students

Basketball drives recruitment and engagement.

Partner colleges consistently see 40–80 new enrolments each year directly from our programs, benefitting from our already engaged network of player.

We actively funnel our players towards our academy partners who benefit from elite training, work experience and visible career pathways that they care about which improves retention and overall performance outcomes.

Enhance Reputation, Reach & Profile

Establish your institution as your borough’s beacon basketball hub.

Host league games, tournaments, and community events that connect education with ambition, opportunity, and belonging.

Partner colleges gain a content-rich, culture-driven platform that authentically resonates with young people, while raising the visibility, reputation, and community standing of the wider institution regionally, nationally and internationally.

Create Real Career Pathways

Students gain recognised qualifications, paid work, and direct progression into coaching, officiating, and sports management roles — developing a skilled workforce your college helped produce.

For the gifted & talented, we have extensive relationships throughout the UK, US and Europe to support through to scholarships and professional career progression, which your college will play an integral role in facilitating.

Every partnership aligns seamlessly with your college’s academic and facility framework — powered by our proven delivery system and London-wide network of 15,000 players. Together, we create measurable educational, economic, and community outcomes that establish your college as the recognised centre of basketball excellence in your borough.

THE MEASURABLE IMPACT

Real outcomes for forward-thinking colleges — educational, financial, and community returns delivered through a fully integrated academy and workforce system.

ENROLMENT GROWTH

+40-80

Additional 16–19 students per year through a clear three-tier academy offer.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

£500k+

Indicative annual uplift from funding, new partnerships and activities aligned to your model.

EMPLOYMENT PROGRESSION

20-40

New jobs within the basketball workforce filled annually through our network

IMPROVED ATTENDANCE

14%

Students attend more and are more accountable at our academies.

COMMUNITY REACH

15,000+

Players engaged across the LBN ecosystem with your college as a visible hub

GRADUATION & QUALIFICATION

93%

Students complete their courses and graduate at our academies.

These figures are based on live Next Level partnerships across London — measured, reported, and repeatable. Each college’s results vary by cohort size and facilities, but the model consistently delivers measurable growth within 12 months and long-term sustainability driven by basketball's impact on enhancing and improving college-wide culture, community, and talent progression.