The two-year partnership will enable the JBBA and its volunteer coaches to provide regular inter and extra-curricular basketball lessons and competitions, new cutting-edge equipment and weekend beach basketball sessions in the summer.

The Association is currently working with a group of up to 100 youngsters aged eight to seventeen who need such support in order to progress.

As well as engaging more young people and providing a first-class infrastructure for children in the Island to enjoy basketball, the JBBA hopes that the new sponsorship will also strengthen the performance of the Jersey Under 17s team in the annual inter-insular between Jersey and Guernsey, with it being Jersey’s turn to host the fixture in 2018.

Stuart Gilmour, Juniors Development for the JBBA, commented: “Without sponsorship such as this, we would simply not be able to continue to provide the teaching, matches and equipment that our young local basketball players need, so we are immensely grateful to JTC for their commitment. With this extra support, we’re aiming to encourage more children to take up the sport and give our existing young players the opportunity to reach their potential in a way that wasn’t possible before.”

Tony Whitney, Jersey Managing Director, JTC, added: “Sport is so beneficial to a young person’s physical and mental well-being, encouraging teamwork with fellow team-mates, helping to build confidence and developing communication skills. We hope that JTC’s partnership with the JBBA’s Junior Academy will help encourage more children to play and that it will secure the future of basketball in the Island.”

The JBBA is self-funded registered as a non-profit organization which is managed by a Committee of enthusiastic volunteers. It offers the chance to play basketball to players of various levels on the Island. The aim is to develop the sport and to spread its values of honesty, integration, collaboration, healthy living and competition within the local community by engaging a population from all walks of life. The JBBA is registered as a club in the England Basketball League (the “EBL”).