Reading Rockets Basketball Club is thrilled to announce we have applied to join the fully professional British Basketball League (BBL). The club is hoping to be accepted and participate in next season’s 2022/23 BBL season.
Rockets’ existing directors Gary and Helen Johnson, will be joined by other key family members Steph and Matt Johnson whilst new blood and impetus will be forthcoming through a number of key personnel who all have elite-level experience across both sport and business. Matt Delaney – owner, co-founder, and managing director of The Great Outdoor Gym Company and Paul Smith, who led city and spectator projects for the ICC, Rugby World Cup as well as being the lead for Cadbury’s London 2012 sponsorship activation, are two such individuals Both played together at Crystal Palace Basketball Club in the club’s dominance in the National Basketball League (NBL). Nick Humby, former chief financial officer for Pearson TV, Manchester United, and the LTA together with Joe Edwards, ex-FIBA and NFL marketing and current Chief Marketing Officer for Super League Triathlon.
Gary Johnson, Chairman of Reading Rockets, is ecstatic to be announcing the application to the BBL. He states, “It’s been a long time in gestation but in our 25th year of serving Reading and the sport, now is right for us.” The Chairman continues by showing appreciation to the new team assembled for this project stating, “I’m excited about the team we’ve brought together from diverse businesses and professions, but all heavily linked to basketball for decades. These are exciting times for Rockets, the town, and the sport.”
Matt Johnson, Director of Coaching at Rockets, believes that this team of people can help the club fulfill its ambition of being at the forefront of British Basketball. He states, “We now have the right people around us with world-class knowledge and business acumen to guide the club to new heights.” Matt also notes the importance of friendship and family in this new leadership team, “Matt, Paul, and I have been friends for over 25 years going back to our university days. Nick and Joe have been friends of the club for a while now and we are eager to take these next steps together.”
Hollywood actor and former Rockets’ junior player Nicholas Hoult will continue his role as an ambassador to help the club’s application to the BBL and aid the club’s development projects.
With teams across all ages, from community programmes to the successful NBL Division 1 Men and Ladies senior teams, the addition of the BBL team allows the Rockets to offer a complete basketball performance pathway from complete beginners to elite professionals. Steph already oversees the whole community programme with Helen providing the coaching vehicle.
This application comes after the new £7 million investors 777 Partners, have highlighted the need for additional sides to compete in the league. The town of Reading has become a basketball hotspot in recent years with the sport becoming vastly popular, making the town an attractive location for a BBL franchise.
More information will be released on the Reading Rockets’ website and social media throughout the upcoming weeks.