Historical Basketball News From Around the Cheltenham and Gloucester Area

Yesterday, Basketball England (BE) took the decision to cancel all affiliated basketball activity for the remainder of the 2019/20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

BE will continuously monitor the situation and review the position to restart activity and gear up for the 2020/21 season and provide an update no later than 15^th May 2020.

Note: BE cancelling all the affiliated basketball activity means that their insurance won't cover BE affiliated local league activity, games or events.

At the moment, the GBBA are working on confirming the fairest course of action for how we handle the premature end to the 2019/20 season.

!!! IMPORTANT UPDATE !!!

Note: This post supersedes the Corona Virus post made ealier today.

Basketball England has taken the decision to suspend all affiliated basketball activity for an initial two-week period because of the coronavirus outbreak.

This action will include National Leagues and competitions, England national teams, Academy leagues, talent programmes including Aspire, affiliated local leagues and Basketball England education courses.

The suspension of all activity will commence from 9am on Saturday, March 14.

The decision has been taken in consultation with Basketball England's Chief Medical Officer Dr Dane Vishnubala and follows careful analysis of the advice issued by the UK Government and regular BE board discussions to assess the full range of information.

It has been made in the interests of the health and safety of our members, their friends and families and the wider community.

We understand the decision may result in inconvenience and disappointment to players, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters at a key period of the season, but it is our duty to protect everyone associated to our sport.

We are here to service all in our great game and recommend anyone involved who isn’t a BE member to follow this ruling.

We believe the decision is necessary to mitigate the transmission risk posed when people gather and to assist in fighting the spread of the illness in the population.

With regards to the onging Corona Virus issues, the GBBA are following the advice issued by England Basketball, last updated yesterday: ...

Basketball England is continuing to monitor the coronavirus threat on an hour-by-hour basis.

We are aware that a number of education establishments in the UK are planning to close for precationary reasons because of (COVID-19) and of the decisions of FIBA and the NBA to suspend competition in Europe and the US respectively.

New advice was issued by the Government today (March 12) re-emphasing the need for hygeine precuations and introducing new measures which include:

Staying at home for seven days if you have, however mild, a new continuous cough or higher temperature
Advise to all those over-70s not to go on cruises
Advise against international school trips

We will continue to be guided by the most up-to-date, expert advice.

There will be further updates to follow.

What is Basketball England's stance?

Basketball England has not changed our current schedule of events. This includes scheduled National Team activity, and the continuation of competitions like the NBL and Academy Leagues.

This stance may change should new information and advice come to light.

What is coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a type of coronavirus that can cause a range of symptoms but can also lead to severe chest infections/pneumonias. In older adults, those with weakened immune systems and those with cancer, diabetes and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the risk of having severe symptoms is much higher.

What are the signs and symptoms?

The symptoms include cough, shortness of breath and a high temperature. Given these are common symptoms with other illness, this makes identifying coronavirus difficult.

How do we reduce the spread?

To reduce spread, ensuring regular washing of hands with soap and water is key.
Hand sanitiser could be used if soap and water is not available.
If coughing or sneezing, do this into a tissue and dispose of immediately following by re-washing hands.
Do not get too close to people who appear unwell.
Avoid travelling to countries that are high risk due to high incidence of the infection.

If an individual suspects coronavirus what should be done?

If an individual suspect they may have coronavirus, they should avoid going to hospital or a clinic to avoid possible spread.
They should self-isolate for seven days, even with mild symptoms.
They should contact 111 to discuss their concerns and to ensure that appropriate testing can be carried out if required.
If you need to self-isolate then click the button below for further advice.

Information on self-isolation NHS information

What should you as a club/organisation do?

Pass this advice and resources to your members.
If members of the club or visitors have been to a high-risk country ensure they self-isolate to prevent passing the possible virus to the remainder of the club.
If any members of your club need self-isolate and you cannot fulfil a fixture as a result, contact Basketball England by emailing nationalleague@basketballengland and the opponent, to confirm a postponement in the usual manner.
Ensure an appropriate number and location of hand sanitisers and hand washing options are available.
Avoid handshakes as part of game protocol and pre and post-game autographs.
Provide education to all members of the club to ensure good principles of hygiene and prevention are followed.
Display posters such as this: CLICK HERE

180 Gloucester Pumas P - P Cheltenham Hawks ( Steckbeck / Gooch ) ( was due to be played 15 Mar 2020 )

180 Pumas v Hawks, will now be played on Sunday 22nd March, 2020

189 Eagles v Starters, will now be played on Friday 17th April, 2020

184 Hawks v Starters, will now be played on Friday 27th March, 2020

173 Stroud Sharks 59 - 78 Warriors

174 Cheltenham Hawks 68 - 79 Malvern Mavericks

The Gloucestershire National Basketball League team, Gloucester Saxons are playing two key games this weekend.

Currently lying sixth in the table, they play:

Fifth placed Dorset Storm on Saturday AND Fourth placed Taunton Tigers on Sunday.

Both games will be played at Gloucestershire College, Llanthony Road Campus (GL2 5JQ), and both games will be tipping off at 4pm.

Spectators will be very welcome.

Saxons websites:
www.gloucestersaxons.com
www.facebook.com/GloucesterSaxons

189 Cheltenham Eagles P - P The Starters ( Lloyd / Brokos ) ( was due to be played 13 Mar 2020 )

184 Cheltenham Hawks P - P The Starters ( Greaves / Martinez ) ( was due to be played 20 Mar 2020 )

Please be aware that matches held at Hartpury College are streamed onto Facebook using the analysis cameras in the sports hall.

You can find the stream on the following Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/hartpurysports/.

This is uploaded for the enjoyment of family & friends of our players who are not able to attend the match; whilst it can also be used for analysis by our players.

There will be an area for spectators to sit which is not picked up by the camera should they wish.

If you need to discuss anything regarding the streaming of matches as either a player, referee or, spectators please contact jenny.arroud@hartpury.ac.uk.