DIARY

Diary - May; Diary - June

29/07/03

The Leopards' story has certainly generated a huge interest (at least I assume that that accounts for the record number of "hits" we received yesterday), and it's significant that it hasn't drawn a single vehement denial from anywhere!

It appears that the Leopards have just had a Court Judgement made against them over an unpaid bill of over £10K, in respect of provision and installation of basketball equipment in local schools.

This equipment was funded through applications to the Awards for All scheme, by the schools, and was coordinated by the Club, and the fact that the supplier has still not been paid (and felt it necessary to invoke court action) hardly engenders optimism that the Leopards as an organisation have an abiding interest in the future of basketball (nor even in the reputation of the club).

26/07/03

It's common knowledge that Ed and Annie T. Symons have been looking to sell the franchise for a little while. That, together with the time that it's been taking, has generated quite a few rumours; one of the more imaginative ones (regularly aired on "What's Bev...") was that they were to be bought by Reebok ... and moved to Bolton. That was based on the belief that one of the interested parties worked for that company, but it overlooked the fact that they have a large facility (fitness suite or something of that kind) in London!

Anyway, it was thought that the BBL Board meeting in the middle of this month would consider the suitability of any "new owner". However, no word of any decision on that (nor even any white smoke) has emanated from the League's hallowed portals.

I believe, however, that it was agreed that Derbys' "sabbatical" should be permitted to continue for it's proposed second season.

My sources suggest that it was also agreed that the Leopards should also go into hibernation, leaving the BBL at ten teams for the coming season!

A source close to the League insisted that "... Leopards are still in discussions regarding the potential sale of the franchise...", but that doesn't really deny the rumour, as it occurs to me that such discussions could continue so long as the franchise exists, even if there is no team active in competition.

I shall await developments with interest.

Whether that participation is under EB eligibility regulations, or whether the BBL, who have the financial clout to promote the competition Final, will be allowed to apply their own criteria, remains to be seen.

Paul, who was a highly successful player with Doncaster Panthers in the 70s and 80s, and attained International recognition, now runs the high-profile "Just Basketball" company, which manufactures and installs outdoor basketball equipment, as well as giving massive support to development work around the country.

I had a very pleasant e-mail from Paul, who is currently on the other side of the globe. Never one to mince words, he writes:

24/07/03

Part of the reason is that some clubs were not too happy with the first draft that they'd been given which contained what have been described to me as "several glaring anomalies". To take just one example, Reading were due to travel to Teesside on Saturday 31st January, and then to play at Worthing on the following day!

In addition there was concern that the proposed format of the Trophy would not provide sufficient home games in the season. It is reckoned that, for financial stability, clubs in the top division need around 15 home games in the season. At one stage it looked as though EBL1 might expand to 16 teams, which would have given clubs the requisite number of games; however, when some failed to meet the stringent standards, and the division remained at 12, it was felt that additional Trophy games were needed to get closer to the ideal figure.

Taking these two factors together, many clubs felt that only a complete revision of the schedule could solve the problems, and a group of experienced club representatives, many of whom have produced fixtures in the past, agreed to undertake that task.

I'm told that throughout this process the clubs worked closely with EB, and that "everybody's happy" with the fixtures that have now been produced. Three quarters of the teams have already confirmed their agreement with these fixtures, and the only reason that the other three have not yet done so is that the relevant club personnel are currently on holiday.

As for the issue of Division Two clubs' involvement (or not) in the Trophy, I'm told that this decision was based on the survey of clubs conducted by EB at the end of last season, when a majority of those clubs felt that early-season thrashings by higher-division teams in a Trophy Pool did little to get their season off on the right foot.

So, I'm pleased to report that all is sweetness and light once more in the domain of Heebie B.A. 

23/07/03

Just as we thought that at least the EBL fixtures were only a few minor amendments away from being sorted, and that it was just the Cup that was the source of problems, I've received a copy of one club's EBL Division 1 fixture list that bears no resemblance to the original version published by EB!

I know that some EBL1 clubs were unhappy that EB were to produce the fixture schedule this season, as opposed to the clubs themselves, and some felt that there should be more Trophy matches. It thus looks very much to me as though they have decided to produce their own fixtures, since there are the following differences from the original version:

There are several issues that occur to me arising from this:

In fact most of those 50,000 have come in exactly two years, since we gained our own "pawprint75" url (after spending the first six weeks on a different host). I know it's exactly two years, as the domain registration has just come up for renewal. At least the level of people logging on takes some of the pain away from having to pay out again!

Month-by-month visitors also continue to increase. Last year each month's figures showed anywhere between a 50% and a 250% increase on the same month the year before, and the same trend seems to be continuing this year, as we've already had more of you pass through in the first two months than did in the first three last year.

Thanks to all of you for your loyalty - and a particular thanks to those of you who use the "Amazon" link on the Index page when you want to buy things on the 'net. Every purchase helps pay for things like our registration fees!

19/07/03

At the moment there is still not official word out of EB as to the precise format of the competition, while at the same time we're still awaiting BBL's decision on whether to participate.

Wouldn't it be ironic if EB were delaying their final decision until they know what the BBL clubs plan to do ... while those clubs were putting off that decision until knowing the format? Don't hold your breath!

17/07/03

If the EBL entries were restricted to just Divisions One and Two, that would be 24 teams, and it would be straightforward enough to reduce them to 21 (the lowest ranked six from Division Two playing in the Preliminary Round), and they could then join the 11 BBL teams in Round One.

That, of course, is dependent on the BBL teams agreeing to participate in the expanded competition, and under EB eligibility rules. I believe the whole issue was to be discussed at yesterday's BBL Board meeting, but as yet I've not heard any leaks about what decisions were reached.

I would have referred to it sooner, but I've only just found out about it myself.

What I can't understand is why, having trumpeted the original decision from the rooftops as soon as it had been made, the climb-down has not received the same loud publicity. Surely it couldn't be because the first decision made the organisation appear decisive and bold, while its postponement could make it seem impetuous and rather egg-covered?

15/07/03

Just as I was beginning to wonder if there'd be anything to talk about in this week's diary (not that that's ever stopped me!), we had the publication of the first draft fixture lists for the EBL, which have raised several points of interest.

Today I received the official statement from the club, which clarifies the position - they were dumped!

It would seem that "Thames Valley Tigers Basketball Club are refocusing their business and will concentrate their efforts on the British Basketball League for the 2003-2004 Season".

According to Chief Executive Martin Weddell, "In the past few years some of our focus and resource has been diluted with the direct management and operation of the Lady Tigers and the Thames Valley Tigers B Team. As part of refocusing on our core activity, resources will not be set aside for these secondary teams in the 2003-2004 season. Both teams could still operate but must be totally self sufficient".

I'll refrain from comment, if only on the grounds that I have a healthy respect for the laws of libel (or at least for their potential impact on my finances).

Now look, Bill, Leicester Riders have still not made up their mind about a coach for next season yet ...

10/07/03

What I am stilling having trouble with, though, is identifying, and thus contacting, the photographers whose work was used nearly thirty years ago. I'm keen to add illustrations to the articles, but don't want to upset anyone by infringing their copyright. So, if you know how I can contact  Galdon Photos or Mike Street (or any of the others credited in earlier pages), please let me know.

Incidentally, if it looks as though the reports on Doncaster Panthers' matches are more detailed than most of the others, the reason's simple - those were the games I actually saw, rather than just read about!

So, if you know of any others who've gone on from a career in basketball (playing or administration) to bigger (and maybe better?) things, let me know so I can continue to add to the table.

A month and a half later, we're all beginning to wonder if if Birmingham is operating in a different time zone, and when "very soon" might be. Most of the other clubs are making strides towards team-building, but the coach-less Bullets are lagging well behind.

This, of course, is not yet the case, and officially we still have the "WNBL Conference" and "WNBL". However, I understand that there is pressure for change (reinforced by the idea that it's pretty daft to have a Women's Conference if there's no longer a Men's one).

What, I wonder, will be the eventual outcome? "WEBL" Divisions One and Two? "EBL Division One Women" and "... Division Two Women North (or South)"? Or will they stick with "Conference"?

Apparently (and this is the latest suggestion as of today!) we should currently refer to "EBL Division Two Women South (or North)", as some clubs have already done ... while we await confirmation of the correct title!

04/07/03

Those of you who've know me for some time may recall the days when he used to come with me on basketball trips, usually arriving tired and muddy from some hill-trek on the way, but grateful for a good sleep while I was in the game.

Others of you may recognise him as the inspiration behind the "Hound of the Basketballs" cartoon at the top of the News Index page.

He'd become a lot less active in his advancing years (him and me both!), as you can see here, but you don't realise how much they give you, in terms of company and unconditional affection, until you have to let them go. Thanks, pal, we'll miss you.

Just as we'd built up a decent readership the playing season came to an end, and I was concerned that we might lose large numbers when there were no results (as I'm sure it's the results' service that attracts the most visitors).

However, the numbers logging on to the site over the past couple of months have held up very well. True the numbers are down to about two-thirds of what they were during the season, but June's figure was 50% up on last year - which is in line with earlier months. Although we're only two days into July, that seems to be following the same pattern.

If you can let us know what features you like at this time of year, and what other items you'd like to see, it'll help us to continue to build from where we are now.

The first concerned the paper's Fashion Director, who tells how she lost five stone in nine months. She attributes part of her success to joining a basketball team called the "Badabings". "It's a fast, skilful, cardio-vascular exercise that forces you to concentrate so you don't notice the exertion" she says ... try telling that to the League players! Of course, with some teams just watching them play is guaranteed to remove weight rapidly!

The other item concerned Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, on a visit to Notre Dame High School in Norwich. Passed a basketball by a member of the school team, Clarke failed to find the target in a dozen attempts - unless, that is, the cameraman had upset him and he was deliberately aiming for him! According to teacher Levant Utka, who runs their team in the National League, "He didn't seem able to concentrate. he just kept talking all the time." I can't say I'm surprised ... I think that not listening to teachers is in the job description of the Secretary of State.

The main features of a "Super Club" will be identified. These clubs are the ones which will act as a focal point for basketball over a wide catchment area, and I believe that they will not only be involved in traditional development work, but will also be expected to help out the junior clubs within their area, and give support to senior clubs in lower divisions. I'm particularly interested to see how these links are intended to work, and how close the ties are expected to be.

It's planned that the present Headquarters building, which is fully owned by EB, but which has reached an age where it has high maintenance costs, will be sold. This, of course, will release vital resources which are currently tied up in bricks and mortar, and I imagine that it is hoped that the costs of renting accommodation (even in a newer, more suitable building) will be not much greater (if at all) than current running costs. I wonder if it will actually prove possible to sell within the proposed timescale - and if so whether it will be possible to sort out the alternative premises (which I believe may be in Sheffield).

A new, streamlined, format for the Board and Committee structure of EB will be announced, ready to be put to the membership at an EGM for ratification. This is perhaps the least glamorous of the proposals, but it could prove to be the most crucial. It's clear that there's a need for some "streamlining", and speeding up of urgent decision-making, but I shall be interested to see what balance is struck between concentrating and centralising power and still ensuring that the aspirations of the wider membership are still adequately represented.

Open "Google", and type "Weapons of Mass Destruction" (without the quotation marks) in the Search box; then hit the "I'm feeling lucky" button.

Have fun!