The following fact file will include 10 crucial points which offer insight into the history of British basketball and two of its teams Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics.
1) Basketball was first introduced in England in 1892 by by the president of the Young Men's Christian Association CJ Proctor after visiting Canada and watching a game.
2) The popularity of basketball in the UK was increased when in World War 1 and World War 2 the American troops shared information about the sport to the British.
3) England Basketball Association was formed in 1936, 13 years before the NBA in America.
4) In 2019 there was an estimated 500,000 people who participated in recreational basketball in the UK.
5) In 1924 at the Paris Olympic Games basketball was included as a demonstration game for the first time and Great Britain won all three of their games.
6) Manchester Magic was founded in 1997 by founders Joe and Maggie Forber and co-founder Graham Williams.
7) Manchester Magic are based at Whalley Range in Manchester and the mens side compete at the Manchester Basketball Centre.
8) The senior Mystics team (women's team) are based at the new National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue.
9) The clubs states that they are “Dedicated to providing opportunities for all sections of the community, regardless of ability, background, gender or age”.
10) Magic play in the NBL Division 2 North whilst the Mystics compete in the Women's British Basketball League.
Point 1, 2 & 5: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48146445
Point 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10: http://www.manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk/pages/About.aspx
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