The English Basketball League are an organisation established in 2003 by England Basketball to replace the former administration, and currently operates professional, semi-professional, and amateur levels of the game. Senior levels include the men's leagues in a four-tiered pyramid structure, as well as the English Women's Basketball League. The senior leagues are supported by a junior structure for both male and female players, with over 450 junior clubs taking part in leagues for under-18s, under-16s and under-14s.
From 1972 until 1987 the National Leagues were the only league system in England, but this changed in 1987 when key British clubs at the time formed a breakaway league. Today, the National Leagues constitute the second, third, fourth and fifth levels of men's competition in England, and also make up the lower tiers of competition in the United Kingdom alongside the less celebrated Scottish Basketball Championship. For a period between 2003 and 2015, competitions were restructured and prefixed with the letters EBA, but the league was rebranded once again as the National Basketball League in time for the 2015/2016 season.
There is no promotion and relegation between the EBL National League and the British Basketball League (BBL), which operates a franchise system. Despite this, several teams have applied to make the step from EBL National League to the BBL in recent years, looking for greater competition and more exposure.
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Senior Competitions
National Basketball League - The men's competition is headed by a 14-team Division 1, followed by a 12-team Division 2, both of which are open to clubs from across England. Below this, Division 3 is operated as two regional conferences of around 12 teams, divided into North and South groups. All other teams affiliated with the NBL compete in Division 4, which is divided into regional conferences of between 10-14 clubs.
The Playoffs - The top eight teams in each division compete for the season's final showdown and last piece of silverware. The top four teams have home advantage against the lower placed sides in the quarter-final (1st v 8th, 2nd v 7th, 3rd v 6th & 4th v 5th). The playoff final is conducted at a neutral venue. The 2016/2017 Division 1 playoffs saw the hometown Manchester Magic defeat Loughborough Student Riders 73-53 at the Belle Vue National Basketball Performance Centre.
National Cup - Open to all NBL teams and played on a straight knockout format at club venues with the final being held at a neutral venue. From 1972 until 2003 all teams competed in this competition including the first tier BBL teams. The 2016/2017 finals were held at the University of Worcester Arena, and saw Team Northumbria top Solent Kestrels 73-56.
National Trophy - Also known as the NBL Trophy, this is played for by all men's Division 1 teams. The teams play a round-robin competition followed by knock-out rounds. The Manchester Magic won the 2016/2017 tournament, taking the final 81-53 against London Lituanica at the University of Hertfordshire Arena.
Patrons Cup - The Patrons' Cup is played for by all men's Division 2 teams on a similar basis to the NBL Trophy. Team Newcastle University claimed the 2016/2017 Cup, beating Kent Crusaders 77-65 at the University of Hertforshire Arena.
National Shield - Open to all men's teams in NBL Divisions 3 & 4 and run on a straight knock-out format with the final held at a neutral venue. The 2016/2017 final took place at the University of Hertfordshire Arena and saw Sussex Bears narrowly edge the Birmingham Elite 58-57.
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Teams
Men's Division 1
Men's Division 1 team line-up for the 2017/2018 season.
Men's Division 2
Men's Division 2 team line-up for the 2017/2018 season.
Men's Division 3
Men's Division 3 team line-up for the 2017/2018 season.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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