Men
WOMen
July 21, 2026
New partnership to drive basketball innovation & develop future talent
Manchester Met joins forces with Manchester Basketball to drive research and innovation in the sport and create opportunities for students.
Manchester Met and Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent.
The collaboration will bring together research and expertise from across the University’s Institute of Sport to support activities spanning across education, research, student placements and internships.
Joining forces, both organisations will collaborate on activities that will raise the profile of basketball and help to inspire the next generation of athletes, coaches and sport professionals.
It builds on an established relationship between Manchester Met and Manchester Basketball, with coaching staff already working across both organisations and the club’s men’s and women’s teams training at the University’s Platt Lane Sports Complex. The partnership also offers the chance to explore further work with MMU Sport including use of facilities and student internships.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, said:
"Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe. We're delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students, supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond."
The partnership comes at pivotal moment for basketball, which is experiencing significant growth across the UK and Europe. In January, 2027, Manchester will host its first-ever NBA regular-season match as part of NBA’s Europe Games Co-op Live.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said:
“As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students. Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
The partnership reflects Manchester Met’s commitment to working with leading sporting organisations to translate research into practice, create opportunities for students and support the growth and development of sport.
Manchester Met joins forces with Manchester Basketball to drive research and innovation in the sport and create opportunities for students.
Manchester Met and Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent.
The collaboration will bring together research and expertise from across the University’s Institute of Sport to support activities spanning across education, research, student placements and internships.
Joining forces, both organisations will collaborate on activities that will raise the profile of basketball and help to inspire the next generation of athletes, coaches and sport professionals.
It builds on an established relationship between Manchester Met and Manchester Basketball, with coaching staff already working across both organisations and the club’s men’s and women’s teams training at the University’s Platt Lane Sports Complex. The partnership also offers the chance to explore further work with MMU Sport including use of facilities and student internships.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, said:
"Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe. We're delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students, supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond."
The partnership comes at pivotal moment for basketball, which is experiencing significant growth across the UK and Europe. In January, 2027, Manchester will host its first-ever NBA regular-season match as part of NBA’s Europe Games Co-op Live.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said:
“As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students. Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
The partnership reflects Manchester Met’s commitment to working with leading sporting organisations to translate research into practice, create opportunities for students and support the growth and development of sport.
