Background Outdoor Basketball Initiative

The objectives, which were detailed in the initial Lottery bid document
of April 1996, have remained central to the delivery and implementation
of the OBI. It was with these objectives in mind that the Site selection
criteria was developed and against which progress has been monitored
by Sport England and the Board of EBBA Outdoor Basketball Initiative Ltd.

OBI Objective 1

To make the sport of basketball available, accessible and free to all members of the community.

Available	All OBI Sites (with the exception of 16 Sites which have restricted access of 20 hours) are available for use for a minimum of 40 hours on average throughout the week.
Accessible	A good regional and local geographical spread of OBI Sites has been achieved. On average there is access to an OBI Goal every 4.6 square miles enabling particularly young people who do not have access to their own transport or sufficient disposable income to travel to access OBI Sites on a regular basis. Goals have been installed from the Isles of Scilly to within 500 metres of the Scottish Border.
Free	This is an essential OBI criteria checked at the Site assessment stage and enforced by signature of the Conditions of Participation Form signed by Site Owners.

OBI Objective 2

To establish a partnership between the sport of basketball and the community at large.

Partnership

"I would compliment the EBBA on this Initiative which has brought sport into the community at low cost". (Site Co-ordinator ID 175)

OBI Objective 3

To introduce young people to basketball and provide opportunities for them to develop and progress within the sport.

Introduce	4,383 Sites with 9,150 Goals installed throughout England.
Young people	While young people represent the main user profile group the benefits of the OBI are not restricted just to young people, adults over 18 years have also taken up the opportunities provided.
Opportunities	9,150 Goals available for use with no associated hire charges ensures opportunities to participate in basketball with the main barrier to the introduction to the sport, court hire fees, being removed. The requirement for the provision of a basketball for use with the Goals has not proved to be a restricting factor to access. 27,000 basketballs have also been provided to local communities through the OBI.
Progression	All development work has been fully integrated into England Basketballs strategic plan, facilitating progression within the sport. OBI Sites have also been targeted near to the training/competition venues of EB registered basketball clubs where possible. Links with the professional Basketball League Clubs also ensure that Goals are allocated to groups which are carrying out development or coaching work. "The Goals are excellent, we have large numbers of young people using the posts and we have seen an increase in Basketball Club membership". (Site Co-ordinator ID 177).

OBI Objective 4

To encourage young people in healthy self development and self awareness

Self development

The development work stimulated in conjunction with the OBI has already provided countless opportunities for young people to develop their basketball techniques and skill in addition to their social and interpersonal skills through courses, training and competition opportunities.

Self awareness

There have been many examples of young people lobbying their local authorities and other organisations to provide basketball Goals. They have co-ordinated petitions and arranged for self help groups to prepare the ground to receive the sleeves. This has given young people ownership of the facility, increased their confidence and self-esteem and endeared them to the local community.

OBI Objective 5

To provide an alternative purposeful activity for young people by keeping them away from damaging activities.

Alternative purposeful activity
	This aspect has become one of the real strengths of the Initiative. Whilst objective criteria on crime reduction is difficult to record, the OBI now has many positive and live examples of crime reduction benefits generated as a result of the scheme. The OBI has been provided an excellent delivery mechanism for local social inclusion agendas.