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Basketball

About Us

Oaklands Wolves Basketball is an accredited Basketball England Pathway Programme, delivering the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (D.I.S.E). Collaborating with local sixth forms, the academy supports student-athletes in achieving both their academic and sporting goals.

Through its internal player pathway, Oaklands Wolves provides performance programmes at every stage of basketball development, from club level to National Team representation. Competing in the EABL, WEABL, NBL, and SLBW, as well as national schools and AOC competitions, the academy offers teams tailored to every player's development as they advance through the levels.

Programme Highlights

Explore the programme highlights of Oaklands Wolves Basketball, where elite training, academic support, and player development combine to nurture future talent.

 

  • Integrated Timetable: Aligns academic studies with basketball training to optimise development
  • Performance Pathways: Progression through club levels to national and international teams, with potential pathways to US colleges and UK/International playing opportunities 

  • Scholarships and Coaching Development: Access to scholarships and coaching development opportunities  

  • 2 Court Sports Hall: Facilities for practice and competitive play 

  • Academy Development Programme: Qualifications in basketball coaching, refereeing, and officiating

Important Information

As an accredited Basketball England Pathway Programme  we provide opportunities for student athletes to pursue their academic and sporting goals. For more information, please refer to the drop-down sections.

Performance Student Athlete

The Oaklands Wolves Basketball Academy is built for performance athletes who are serious about developing their game while continuing their education.

Your weekly schedule blends academic and athletic commitments, with shooting practice before College, classroom sessions in the morning, and training, strength & conditioning, or video analysis in the afternoons and evenings. Competitive fixtures take place on Wednesdays and weekends for those selected in the SLBW or National League squads.

Athletes benefit from player-centred coaching delivered by international-level professionals, with opportunities to compete in top-tier competitions including the EABL, WEABL, AOC, and National Schools leagues. The programme also offers elite pathways through our women’s SLBW franchise and both Division 2 Women’s and Division 3 Men’s National League teams.

All training takes place in a National Team-standard two-court sports hall and a fully equipped performance gym, with tailored strength & conditioning support and access to our onsite physiotherapy suite. Cross-training opportunities with other elite academies also contribute to a well-rounded performance environment.

Residential accommodation is available on campus, and with excellent road and rail links to London, the academy is easily accessible for student-athletes from across the region.

Development Athlete

The Oaklands Wolves Basketball Academy also offers a tailored pathway for Development Student Athletes — designed for those who are committed to improving their game while continuing their education in a supportive, structured environment.

Your week follows an integrated timetable, with shooting practice before College, followed by morning basketball sessions focused on training, strength & conditioning, or video analysis. Academic lessons take place in the afternoon, allowing you to balance athletic development with your studies. You’ll represent the college in AOC East and London league fixtures, with games typically scheduled on Wednesdays.

Development athletes benefit from player-focused coaching designed to build technical skill, game understanding, and overall athletic performance. You’ll have access to our National Team-standard two-court sports hall, fully equipped performance gym, and strength & conditioning programmes led by experienced staff.

With a convenient, easily accessible location and a clear pathway to progress into performance-level basketball, this programme is ideal for student-athletes looking to take the next step in their sporting journey.

To join the Oaklands Wolves Basketball Academy, you simply need to be enrolled on one of our full-time courses. Once you're part of the programme, you’ll train, compete, and develop alongside like-minded student-athletes.

All academy players are also required to purchase official Oaklands Wolves kit, available through our supplier, KitKing.

 

Find out more about enrolling

Student accommodation at our St Albans Campus is available for those enrolled in the sports academies. Our aim is to create a safe, supportive community that helps you transition smoothly away from home.

Find out more

Men's Teams

Our academy offers a clear performance and development pathway, with four competitive men’s teams designed to match player ability, experience, and ambition.

1st Team – High Performance

  • Player Level: National Teams & Regional Level

  • Squad Size: 20 players

  • Leagues:

    • Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL)

    • Division 3 Men’s National Basketball League

    • U18 Men’s Premier National Basketball League

2nd Team – Performance Development

  • Player Level: National League & County Level

  • Squad Size: 20 players

  • Leagues:

    • Association of Colleges (AoC) Men’s London League

    • U18 Men’s Premier National Basketball League

3rd Team – Competitive Development

  • Player Level: National League & School Team Level

  • Squad Size: 20 players

  • Leagues:

    • AoC Men’s London League

    • AoC Men’s East League

4th Team – Foundation & Recreation

  • Player Level: School Team & Recreational Level

  • Squad Size: 20 players

  • League:

    • Hertfordshire Schools / Sixth Form League

Women's Teams

The Oaklands Wolves Women’s Basketball Academy is committed to the development of high-performing female athletes, offering a clear route to top-level competition. Our programme nurtures talent in a supportive, ambitious environment that promotes both personal and team success.

Notable alumni, such as Louise Rouse, reflect the strength of our pathway, with many players going on to compete nationally and internationally.

Women’s 1st Team – Elite Performance

  • Player Level: National Team players, Regional-level athletes, and high-level National League players

  • Squad Size: 20 players

  • Leagues:

    • Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL)

    • Super League Basketball Women (SLBW)

    • Division 2 Women’s National Basketball League

    • U18 Girls National League

From Academy to Elite: SLBW Representation

Four of our Women’s Basketball Academy athletes proudly stepped up to compete in the Super League Basketball Women (SLBW) during the 2024/25 season.

Their progression into one of the UK’s highest-level women’s basketball leagues reflects the strength of our development pathway and the exceptional talent being nurtured at Oaklands.

Representing both the college and the Wolves at a national level, these players demonstrated the dedication, skill, and professionalism required to perform under pressure. Their achievements are a testament to the academy’s elite coaching, competitive environment, and focus on long-term athlete development.

This level of progression is not only a proud moment for the players themselves but also a clear sign of the opportunities available to those who commit to the Wolves programme.

Michael Ball

Liam Jefferson

Lee Ryan

Alumni

With a basketball programme as strong as ours, we have seen our fair share of shining stars. Some of our standout alumni include:

  • Ben Lawson – Fukui Blowinds, B.League, Japan  
  • Louise Rouse – Calgary Women’s, Team GB  
  • Evan Walshe – Bristol Flyers, Team GB  

These talented individuals exemplify the excellence nurtured within our academy.

Which Sports Academy are you interested in joining? *

Please note, young people with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or additional SEND and/or medical needs MUST be declared.  For those with an EHCP, the College is required to follow a statutory ‘Consultation’ process to ensure a student’s needs can be met within the College. We ask that students with any other additional needs that do not have an EHCP declare their needs so we can assess any provision required.  Students can make the appropriate declarations on their College application.  Failure to declare an EHCP or additional SEND/health needs can impact on the young person’s application to the College and access to the Academies.

Do you have an Educational Health Plan? *
Are you interested in residential accommodation? *

Register your interest

If you’re passionate about taking your athletic performance to the next level, Oaklands Wolves Sport Academies are the perfect place to unlock your potential. Offering elite coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and tailored development pathways, we nurture talent across a wide range of sports.

Whether you’re aiming for professional competition or looking to sharpen your skills, our academies provide the guidance and support to help you excel.

Register your interest today and join the wolfpack. 

Contact

MICHAEL BALL
HEAD OF BASKETBALL

01727 737469
michael.ball@oaklands.ac.uk