The local basketball landscape is set for a major developmental boost following the official launch of the inaugural Schools Basketball League on Friday at the Transport Sports Club.
Built on the philosophy that “exposure leads to composure,” the coach-led initiative aims to bridge the gap between training and high-stakes competition by significantly increasing the number of games student-athletes play.
The Under-18 League is scheduled to run from January 16 to March 22, featuring a competitive six-school pilot programme that includes Government Technical Institute (GTI), President’s College, Marian Academy, St. Stanislaus College, Queen’s College and St. Rose’s High School.
The long-term goal is to replicate this model in regions across Guyana, eventually culminating in a grand national playoff between regional winners.
Breaking away from the traditional knockout formats that often limit a team’s season to just one or two outings, this league will utilise a full home-and-away structure.
Each school is guaranteed 10 games, providing the consistent match frequency necessary for skill retention and tactical growth.
Due to current court accessibility issues, GTI and St. Stanislaus will host their ‘home’ fixtures at the Burnham Basketball Court on Middle Street.
In a move to digitise the school sports experience, Chairman of the Schools Basketball League, Willon Cameron,announced that players will have access to real-time scores and personal statistics.
Furthermore, a partnership with NexGen Sports will see one marquee matchup streamed live on every matchday, offering players unprecedented visibility.
Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Vice President Jermaine Slater offered the federation’s full endorsement, noting that the league is an essential step forward for youth development.
Nicholas Fraser, Head of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Education, echoed this sentiment, contending that from an academic standpoint, the players could use the league to meet requirements in Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations.
Technical Director Warren Wilson emphasised that the league isn’t just for the players. “The idea is to nurture talent, but also to build capacity,” Wilson noted.
To that end, the league will serve as a training ground for first-time basketball officials, with schools submitting names for referee and scorekeeper development programmes.
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