Inaugural Betty Codona Classic Warming Up

The inaugural Betty Codona Classic is fast approaching, with the line-ups now set after the draw taking place last week.

Staged over three days from the 3rd to the 5th January 2014 at the Nottingham Wildcats Arena in Bakersfield, Nottingham, it will feature all eight of the National League Division 1 sides, with their seeding having been taken from team’s league positions at the end of November.

In the first half of the draw, Loughborough will take on Northumbria, and Cardiff will face Barking Abbey, whilst on the other side, Sevenoaks Suns take Nottingham Wildcats, and Manchester Mystics will challenge City of Sheffield Hatters.

The competition is named after Ms Betty Codona OBE who received her honour for services to basketball.

Betty has been a stalwart of women’s basketball since before the inception of the National League in 1976 and has guided her team Sheffield Hatters, to more trophies than any other team in competitive sports in England.

The BCC, which will be held on an annual basis, aims to develop into more than a basketball tournament, eventually incorporating a trade fair and conference.

The teams and the organisers of the BCC want it to be an event, rather than a series of games between the best sides in the country. So as well as the traditional format of quarter-finals, semi-finals and final; on the Saturday a series of individual competitions will be staged, designed to test the basic basketball skill levels of players, their athleticism and strength.

On the Saturday evening there will be a Gala Dinner at a Four Star Hotel in Nottingham City Centre for competitors, organisers and officials, with guest speakers from the world of basketball, including the new CEO of England Basketball, Huw Morgan.

Then before the Final on the Sunday afternoon a Mini Basketball Jamboree will be held with 100 children being invited from across the country to be coached by the players and coaches of the six teams not contesting the Final. Add to all that the music and the cheerleaders and it will truly be a weekend to remember.

“We feel really privileged to be holding the inaugural Betty Codona Classic at the Wildcats Arena,” said Chris Prior, Chairperson of the Arena Trust and member of the Organising Committee.

“The women’s game has been in need of a showcase event for many years and with the support of all eight Division 1 sides this will be that event. The aim of the Organising Committee is to set the standard for Women’s Basketball Tournaments for years to come; that is why we have incorporated far more than just a series of games.

“I would like to thank the referees and table officials for administering all the games free of charge and the time and effort the Organising Committee, especially Laura Doherty, have given to the event. It is now down to the teams”.

Tickets are available NOW and start at just £5.00 for a child and £10.00 for an adult with All Game Passes as well as Family Passes, Concessions and Day Passes.