How Great Britain's women's basketball team is inspiring a generation ahead of EuroBasket 2025

Recent data from Sport England (published in May 2024) shows that nearly 1.2 million children and young people (aged 5-16) play basketball weekly (31.2 per cent of which are girls), up from about 850,000 just a few years ago—a 40% increase since the disruptions of the pandemic. In schools, participation has surged across all key age groups, with both boys and girls taking to the sport in growing numbers. Among adults, too, basketball is enjoying its highest participation rates since 2016, with over 350,000 people playing the game at least twice a month. Combined, the numbers prove that basketball is now the second most popular team sport in England (behind football)—a statement that would have seemed improbable even five years ago.

Much of the growth can be attributed to the increased access people in Britain (and worldwide) have to watching elite-level basketball, such as the WNBA and NBA, as well as initiatives like Basketball England's "Basketball for All" program and the #ProjectSwish campaign. But the dual qualification of Britain's national teams is also proof that the foundations laid over the past decade—improved coaching, better facilities, and stronger governance—are yielding results for all.

Such dual success isn’t just symbolic; it serves as pragmatic fuel for further expansion. Every additional televised game, every local club inspired by national team success, and every pound of investment raised hinges on consistent, shared triumphs. With both squads heading to the continental stage, British basketball may soon unlock funding, interest, and infrastructure at levels previously thought unimaginable.

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