Who’s Got Next? Girls Local Development Leagues Launch This April

From 18th April, we are launching something new, exciting, and built entirely around one thing: you.

Welcome to Who’s Got Next.

This is not just another league. It is a fresh approach to girls basketball development, designed to give every player the chance to improve, compete, and grow through real game experience.

At the heart of Who’s Got Next is a simple idea. The best way to get better at basketball is by playing the game. This league is built to give girls consistent, meaningful minutes on court in a competitive but supportive environment where development comes first. Whether you already play for a club or are completely new to the game, you can be part of it. You do not need to be attached to a club to join, although all players will need a Basketball England participation licence for insurance and governance. If you have not done this before, we will help you through the process and it is quick to complete.

What makes this league different is how the teams are formed. Rather than entering as clubs, players will be brought together from across the area and placed into balanced teams. The aim is to create fair, competitive games every week. The league will run over a short cycle of six to twelve weeks, and once that cycle is complete, teams will be reshuffled. This keeps the competition level, gives players the chance to play with and against different teammates, and ensures everyone continues to be challenged.

Games are designed to maximise playing time and keep things flowing. Each match will run within a one hour slot, with a 40 minute game split into two 20 minute halves using a running clock. Each team will have one timeout per half, but the emphasis is on keeping the game moving and giving players as much time on court as possible. Every player will receive equal playing time, and each team will have one of our coaches present to manage substitutions, support decision making, and help guide players through the game.

All fixtures will take place at Sandymoor on Saturdays between 2pm and 4pm. Depending on the number of teams, not every team will play every single week, but scheduling will be managed carefully to ensure fairness across the league. The cost to play is £5 per game, with payments handled through Spond, and the Basketball England licence is £20 annually if you are not already registered through regional or national league participation.

We want to be clear about one thing. This league is not about recruitment. It is about participation and development. We are actively inviting all local clubs to be part of this and to send their players along for additional game experience. We also recognise that many clubs run strong regional and national league programmes, and we want to support that. To keep everything transparent and fair, we will work directly with clubs to organise a shared release of information around squads, trials, and training opportunities. This ensures every player has equal visibility and can choose the pathway that suits them best.

Beyond playing, this league is also an opportunity to grow the wider game. All matches will be supported by qualified referees alongside volunteer table officials, and we are keen to use this as a development environment for officiating as well. New referees will have the chance to learn and build confidence, while parents and volunteers can get involved with table duties. It is a great way to understand the game from a different perspective and support your own clubs in the future.

This is only the starting point. Our long-term vision is to build something much bigger. We want to see 100 girls in every age group, from under 8 through to under 16, competing every week. The ambition is to expand into full-day Saturday leagues running from morning through to evening, creating a thriving, inclusive, and competitive girls basketball environment across the region.

So the question is simple.

Who’s Got Next?

If you want to play more, improve faster, meet new players, and be part of something different, this is your moment. Step on the court, compete, and enjoy the game.