While the Western Conference finals are currently on the front stage of USA sport, Hoopsfix are looking to popularize basketball in the United Kingdom. What could be better than the first ever All-Star Game in the history of the UK? With the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic fast approaching, Sam Neter, CEO of Hoopsfix answers a few questions about the revolutionary event taking place on 15th June at Brunel University…
What events will take place on the day?
“We’re starting the day off with a community coaching clinic, ran by our development partners, Reach & Teach. This is all about giving back, and hopefully helping to inspire and help some of the even younger generations. Players from the U25 game as well as maybe another GB star or two will be on hand to work with the kids and talk to them as well. After that, the U16s and U25s will be having practices to ensure they don’t go into the game completely unprepared! This will all be closed doors.
At 12:30 doors will open to the public for the first game, the U16s, which will tip off at 1pm. We have, in my opinion, the best under-16s in the country (born in 1998 or later) bar none, and so it should be a great showcase. There’s no doubt in my mind that 12 of the players in the game will be the final 12 heading out to the European Championships this summer.
Following the first game, there will be a dunk contest to crown the UK’s best dunker. We’re bringing in some of the UK’s highest flyers, so I’m hoping it won’t disappoint – it is hard to impress crowds these days with dunk contests as they’ve seen everything, but would love for it to show some new stuff.
Then finally, the ‘U25s’ will take to the floor. I say U25s liberally as we may have snuck in one or two U26s – been having a nightmare with rosters and player availability over the past few weeks – makes it so tough when so many are based abroad, a problem I think is quite unique to England!”
Do you believe that this event can become a yearly landmark in the UK basketball calendar, and that you will be able to continue the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic for years to come?
“100%. I want this to become an annual thing, and I hope it will grow year upon year. I’ve never done an event of this scale in my life, so it’s been a huge learning curve, and I have no doubt that we are going to get things wrong. As long as I learn from it and keep it moving forward, I see no reason why it can’t get bigger and better each year. This event has essentially been put together in three months, having a lot more time to plan for the next one, as well as actually having something tangible to show to sponsors rather than trying to sell an idea, should really help it grow.”
As in many countries, All-Star Events usually have many contests, such as a three point challenge, skills challenges and celebrity games. Do you see the Hoopsfix event expanding out throughout the years?
“I would love for us to continue expanding what takes place on the day over the years. I want it to become part of the national team programmes, and have every age group National Team competing there in the future. Adding a three point shoot out, a women’s game, other age groups as well as a legends game or something like that would be awesome.”
Basketball has never been a main sport in the UK, shadowed by other sports such as Soccer and Rugby. Do you think that the Hoopsix Event can play a part in the growing popularity of basketball?
“I sincerely hope the event will play a role in helping grow the popularity of sport. I don’t think anyone has ever been to a basketball game for the first time before and said they never want to go again. Exposing players and fans to these types of events on a regular basis should only help accelerate the growth of basketball in the UK. It’s also worth remember, all the proceeds from the day are going to the Hoopsfix Foundation which will fund projects and research to help grow and raise the profile of the game – I see the role the Foundation could have in the future to be huge.”
For more details, and to purchase tickets to the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic, visit http://www.hoopsfixallstarclassic.com/
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