FIMBA GB is proud to announce an exciting new chapter, a merger with the GB Masters Basketball Association. As a result, the organisation will now be known as FIMBA GB Masters CIC.
GB Masters Basketball Association, formerly British Masters was established in 1997 and coordinates the largest annual masters basketball weekend tournament for male, female and wheelchair players aged 35+ in the UK. From it’s early roots with only a few teams, the tournament has grown and grown over the past nearly 30 years, with wheelchair basketball being added in 2024. This year in Cardiff, there will be over 70 teams and over 630 players from all playing backgrounds, whether that be amateur friendship groups, ex-professionals or, in recent years, even some teams from overseas.
The two organisations share a similar ethos of keeping everyone in the game whether it be playing, officiating or just supporting as well as opening up new opportunities for them, so the tagline #thegameneverstops will be rolled out across the two organisations.
Bringing these two organisations together under one umbrella makes perfect sense. As the largest masters basketball organisation in the UK, this merger gives us a fantastic opportunity to spread the word far and wide — not just promoting the domestic game, but also opening the door for players to experience basketball on the international stage. Having been involved with GB Masters since 2006 and Chair since 2015, I can only see the sport go from strength to strength. There are so many talented players out there who may not even realise they can still lace up their boots — or perhaps find a new role in coaching or supporting the next generation. #TheGameNeverStops, and neither do we.
NIcky Shaw, Chair of FIMBA GB
The benefits of remaining physically active as we age is well-evidenced and referenced in public health white papers, and in national sporting strategies. Basketball is often heralded as an inclusive sport from grassroots upwards, regardless of income, gender, race, abilities and age. However, there are no regular NGB-recognised opportunities in the UK for older ballers to play competitively with their peer group; the only option is to compete in a lower division league with players who are half their age and twice their speed. This increasingly results in a less than enjoyable experience, and eventually players leave the sport.
The newly formed FIMBA GB Masters CIC is committed to growing the game at every level. Plans are already underway to expand regional hubs and to introduce regional masters tournaments throughout the year, helping to raise awareness and participation in masters basketball across the UK, as well as widening the selection pool for the multi-medal winning international teams by providing the opportunity for players to extend or even start their international career.
This merger marks a pivotal step in strengthening and celebrating the masters basketball community, ensuring that players aged 35 and over continue to have opportunities to stay active, stay competitive, and stay connected — both domestically and internationally.
