This is Myerscough Basketball

Myerscough College Basketball Academy is a premier basketball academy in the United Kingdom, where student-athletes gain access to unparalleled resources and a one-of-a-kind experience that will accelerate the journey to the next phase of their careers. Alumni have garnered individual accolades, national and international recognition, represented their respective countries at the junior and senior level, received athletic scholarships to United States and U.K. based universities and signed professional basketball contracts. Myerscough consistently adds to a growing list of junior and senior championships.
A National Centre for Sporting Excellence, the Academy closely simulates a professional setup and has grown to provide an avenue for university level students to obtain a Foundation Degree in Basketball Coaching and Performance. Myerscough has multiple teams based on age and skill level from U14s to Men’s National League. Athletic and academic enrichment are just part of the vision, which includes building potential and leadership away from the court through challenges designed to foster independence and overall growth.
Overview
Academics
Facilities
Methodology
Coaching Staff

The Academy

Myerscough Basketball Academy is an elite development programme based in Preston, England on the campus of Myerscough College. It offers year-round training and features a variety of teams at various levels to ensure each student-athlete has an enriching experience on campus. With as much emphasis on academics and university placement as on athletic development, Myerscough Basketball tapers training and progressively increases workouts and conditioning before focusing on game preparation and team strategies. The Academy’s extensive network of university programs nationally and abroad provides a range of exposure.

Teams

Myerscough Basketball has multiple teams within the programme that play in several different leagues throughout the season, providing an effective training environment for student-athletes regardless of age or skill level.

Men’s National League

Myerscough currently fields two Men’s National League teams, including in NBL Division 2 (North) and Division (North West). Student-athletes within these teams are tested in competition against high-level men’s players, who have played at high levels in England and abroad. The Academy has secured two Division 3 Championships, a playoff championship and a National Shield at the senior level.

European Youth Basketball League

Myerscough Basketball’s top players compete internationally in the U20 category to prepare for higher-level basketball. Student-athletes within this team aspire to compete for athletic scholarships or to advance their basketball career past Myerscough at the professional ranks.

Elite Academy Basketball League

Elite league for the best Under-19 players from Myerscough Basketball, competing against top academy teams in Northern and Southern conferences. The Academy has produced four Conference MVPs, including Kyle Carey, Zion Tordoff, Bryan Akanmu and Tyrese Lacey, while Neal Hopkins is a four-time Coach of the Year recipient. Myerscough has won two EABL Championships (2014-15, 2019-20) with four runners-up finishes.

Under-18 Premier (North Premier)

Targets advanced players from Myerscough Basketball competing against top Under-18 teams in one of three premier conferences in England.

Under-18 Conference (North West)

The aim of the Undr-18 Conference team is to develop first year and some second year players at Myerscough, focusing on those new or less experienced in basketball.

Basketball England’s Dynamik Schools Competitions

Under-17 team for top first-year players from Myerscough College. Under-19 second team for non-elite players, providing experience and opportunities to compete for silverware.

AoC British Colleges and Knockout Cup

Under-19 second team for non-elite players competes locally and in knockout formats, offering another chance at winning trophies.

U16s and U14s National League

Myerscough Basketball’s Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 teams aims to give junior basketball within Preston and the surrounding communities – notably Blackpool, Garstang and Chorley – a platform to grow at the National League level and complement individual club commitments. These teams provide student-athletes with the chance to prepare for their progression towards high-level junior teams. The Under-16s compete in Basketball England’s National League. Junior players will be exposed to high-level skill development and training that build a foundation for incremental growth.

Higher Education & Further Education

The College offers a unique opportunity for students who wish to develop a comprehensive understanding of basketball and high performance sports to study a level 3 (A-Levels equivalent) BTEC in sports performance and excellence (Basketball Studies) with some gaining access to Basketball England’s DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programme. The Academy is one of 13 DiSE partnerships in England. Basketball Studies at Myerscough College will give students the opportunity to gain academic knowledge as well as be in a basketball environment like no other and will offer students the academic qualification to progress onto university.

This Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Higher Technical Qualification accredited course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. The Basketball Coaching and Performance Foundation Degree course has been specifically developed to meet the needs of those who have an interest in pursuing a career in basketball, whether it be in a coaching or performance capacity. The course provides students with the practical skills, academic knowledge and coaching expertise that will ultimately enable them to gain employment in a variety of roles across the Basketball industry and is mapped so that graduates will be able to claim HTQHS2025: Sports Coach (High Performance Coach) status.

England Development Programme

The England Development Programme (EDP) sits within Basketball England’s Talent Pathway and is their branding for the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE). The programme enables 16 to 19 year olds to continue playing basketball within an elite environment whilst studying in a Further Education or Sixth Form setting.

DiSE is a two-year, Department for Education (DfE) funded programme. It is a unique sporting qualification designed to meet the needs of student-athletes who exhibit the potential to achieve excellence in basketball. The main focus is to deliver a complementary performance development programme, allowing students to combine basketball and education, so that they have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to pursue a dual career in high level sport alongside separate paid employment in the future.

To learn more about the England Development Progamme, click here.

Maintenance Grant/Bursary

The maintenance grant/bursary is to help towards living costs (accommodation, food, travel and course materials for example) whilst studying at College. You can receive up to £3,800 (dependent on household income) which is paid to you in 3 termly instalments. This is a non repayable grant. Myerscough Basketball Academy students typically use the maintenance grant to cover the cost of accommodation. Grants are accessible to learners where the annual household income is less than £35,000, subject to an application being submitted to the College, which must include the relevant evidence as requested for an income assessment. For more information about financial advice, visit Fees and Finance at Myerscough.
 
To learn more about fees and finances, click here.

Training at Myerscough

Myerscough Basketball Academy is housed in the £3.2 million state-of-the-art High Performance Centre for Sport, which is home to a Strength & Conditioning Suite, physiotherapy room, changing rooms, and basketball office. Student-athletes have regular access to the HPC that is tailor-made to suit the physical demands of a basketball player whilst coaches have been given the best facilities to help aid in player development. The Strength and Conditioning Suite is fitted with a trio of Absolute Performance squat racks and fitness equipment, Bison™ Olympic Lifting Plates and York free weights.

The High Performance Centre has hosted the EABL and WEABL 3×3 National Regionals, international preseason basketball camps, as well as Basketball England training camps for both the Under-15 Boys and Girls teams, and is equipped for netball and indoor football.

Living at Myerscough

At Myerscough, there is exceptional full-board and self-catering accommodation for more than 650 students, in 28 different Halls of Residence with a mix of single and twin rooms with shared common room, kitchen and bathroom facilities, plus a range of self-catering en-suite accommodation. Myerscough prides itself on being a safe and friendly campus. Resident wardens are always on hand to assist with the well-being and safety of students while CCTV cameras and a night-time security team provide additional reassurance. All accommodations are non-smoking. The majority of accommodation also has access to either wireless or cabled networked internet access.

ACCOMMODATION

September (Week 1 & 2)

  • Campus Orientation
  • Training Camp (2-week evaluation period for all Academy players)
  • Strength & Conditioning, Functional Movement & Mobility Training
  • Preseason Performance Testing

September (Week 3 & 4)

  • Individual Development Plans
  • Team Practices (3 sessions)
  • Small Group Workouts (2 sessions)
  • Strength & Conditioning (3 sessions)

October – March

  • Competitive Season
    • EABL – Elite Academy Basketball League
    • NBL – National Basketball League
    • EYBL – European Youth Basketball League
  • Individual Development Plans
  • Team Practices (3 sessions)
  • Small Group Workouts (2 sessions)
  • Strength & Conditioning (3 sessions)
  • Recruitment Meetings
  • Prospective Student Visits

April

  • Post-Season Playoffs
  • Individual Development Plans
  • Team Practices (3 sessions)
  • Small Group Workouts (5 sessions)
  • Strength & Conditioning (3 sessions)
  • Prospective Student Visits

May-June

  • Final Player Evaluations
  • Individual Development Plans
  • Prospective Student Visits
  • Team Practices (3 sessions)
  • Small Group Workouts (5 sessions)
  • Strength & Conditioning (3 sessions)

July -August

  • Summer Camps
  • Off-Season Development
  • National Team Duty
Neal Hopkins – Head Coach/Head of Basketball
Troy Culley – Academy Coach/Recruitment
Mike Bernard – Academy Coach
Lewis Scott – Academy Coach/Lecturer
James Jones – Academy Coach/Lecturer
Dave Collister – Academy Coach/Programme Leader
Archie Dubbons – Physio

Visit Us

Myerscough College is set out of town and is the ideal environment for student athletes to develop. With residential blocks a stone’s throw away from all facilities, including the canteen, the High Performance Centre, strength and conditioning suite and sports centre, students have an opportunity to live and train as a professional athlete. For more information, visit Myerscough College‘s official website.

Visits for prospective students can be arranged by contacting filling out the Visit Myerscough Basketball form or, alternatively, by calling the basketball office on 01995 642222 ext. 2000.

Apply Now

MYERSCOUGH BASKETBALL APPLICATION

Prospective students looking to apply for the 2024-25 academic year should submit an application as early as possible.

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