These days in the UK basketball is played by nearly 218,000 people every week. It’s a sport that’s bursting onto the mainstream stage in a very big way. However, on-going funding for British Basketball has never been an easy task. David Lammy MP for Tottenham in London recently questioned Sports Minister Tracy Crouch over the lack of funding for basketball compared to sports such as canoeing, rowing and equestrianism.
Despite the difficult funding challenges that face the sport, international flooring specialist Gerflor have embraced the rousing attitude of the commercial leagues to help them grow the sport by being appointed as the official flooring partner for The British Basketball League (BBL).
David Carter, Sport Marketing and Communications Manager Gerflor UK said, “the BBL had approached Gerflor based on previous conversations which they’d had with other clubs who already play on Gerflor’s world-renowned Taraflex® sports surface and of course they loved its performance and safety qualities.” David continued; “Our new Taraflex® Evolution 7.5mm has increased shock absorption. The first floor to be installed will be going in at the Copper Box arena ready for the 2018/19 season which begins in September. This is a fantastic first location as it was constructed as an Olympic venue, and of course our relationship with the Olympics is a long and happy legacy.”
He continued, “this is not just about investing in the BBL to be chosen as the official flooring partner, this is about providing the clubs at various stages with world class floors to play on. This raises the profile of the sport and the interest levels in the sport which will drive further investment which in turn helps the sport.”
Gerflor have more than 70 years’ of experience with their Taraflex® sports flooring. It offers a wide range of colours and is suitable for a variety of applications. Taraflex® sports floors have been made since 1947 and is used by the largest international sports federations (volleyball, handball, badminton, table tennis) for decades. Through partnerships with these federations, Gerflor has been present at the Summer Olympic Games since 1976. This range of sports flooring has an Olympic pedigree stretching back over an incredible 42 years.
Taraflex® is available in 17 colours and three wood-effect designs. The Evolution product offers a P1 category shock absorbency 25% to 35% and meets the EN 14904 Standard for indoor sports surfaces. Taraflex® is also recognised for providing durability, safety and comfort without impairing performance.
Bob Hope, Commercial Director, British Basketball League and Women’s British Basketball League commented, “Gerflor is renowned in the world sports business as one of the best suppliers of sports flooring. We reviewed a range of sports flooring companies and after due consideration selected Gerflor flooring because of its superior quality.”
Bertrand Chaumet, UK Managing Director, Gerflor, stated: “We are proud to be working with what some say is the Basketball League with the biggest potential anywhere in the world. At Gerflor we are used to working with sports at the highest level together with supplying sport surfaces to grass roots community venues and schools, as well as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”
Bob Hope added, “I have found Gerflor excellent to deal with. They are experts in sports flooring, know what they are talking about and are very approachable.” He concluded by saying, “the recent Play-Offs saw the Playoff Final between London Lions and Leicester Riders at the O2, London. It broke all attendance records with over 15,000 fans and has unprecedented levels of worldwide TV exposure, which Gerflor enjoyed as an official BBL partner with their logo printed on the playing surface.”
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