LONDON - British Basketball Federation Chairman Bill McInnes has welcomed the recent decision by the Board of Basketball Wales to sign up to a project which will help deliver unity for basketball in the UK by operating via only one federation.

Speaking in the wake of the commitment by Basketball Wales to finally accept the pivotal governance plan, McInnes was positive about what lies ahead.

He said: "Over the past 12 months, with the full support of the world governing body FIBA, the basketball associations of Wales, Scotland and England have been working together to create a sustainable governance structure in which Great Britain teams can flourish and all three nations can work together towards delivering this shared vision for British Basketball.

"With the Basketball Wales decision to commit to this new structure, all the pieces are now in place for British Basketball to move forward as one.

"In order to achieve this, we are implementing a new, simplified governance structure and recruiting a new British Board of Directors with a diverse mix of business and sporting expertise to make basketball sustainable in Britain and fulfil its potential.

"This new Board will work in collaboration with all three home nations, who will continue to develop the sport in their territories in line with a shared British strategy. It will have its performance evaluated annually to ensure its accountability and effectiveness.

"With Wales now fully committed, it is our aim to implement the new structure by the end of 2014 to maintain progress to single FIBA membership in 2016.

"Over the next few months, British Basketball will be seeking to recruit a new Independent Chair and three new Independent Directors who can contribute to the strategic direction of the sport. These posts will be recruited by an open application process.

"British Basketball is excited to be launching its new goals and determined to deliver an inspirational and sustainable delivery plan for basketball in Britain which will lead the sport into its next stage of development."

Meanwhile Justin Ogleby, the Chairman of Basketball Wales, was also keen to reiterate his commitment to the new structure.

He stressed: "The Board of Basketball Wales (Pelfasged Cyf) based its decision to sign up to the British Basketball project as it would be in the long term interest of the game in Wales and would result in strengthening our working relationships with all our key stakeholders, potential for new funding streams, increased participation and improvements in standards across players, coaches and officials.

"Should we have decided not to sign up to the British Basketball Project then there would have been serious consequences for basketball in Wales.

"For British Basketball to maximise its potential it must comprise of three equal partners, therefore, the three 'home nations' have made a strategic commitment to invest in development opportunities to deliver equality across all home nations.

"The 'Articles' that will govern the operation of the new British Basketball Federation requires unanimous agreement from its three members England, Scotland and Wales.

"This is a unique opportunity to increase participation, realise achievement and for each individual to excel," added Ogleby.

The governance recruitment process is now in full swing, with posts having already been advertised on the GB Basketball website www.gbbasketball.com.

Another important development to the future of basketball in the UK is a highly important consultation exercise currently being undertaken by UK Sport which closes on 14 December.

They are asking for people to help shape the future of its investment strategy by encouraging everyone to have their say via www.uksportgov.uk/consultation.

FIBA