The Bulldogs are set to ignite their preseason with the inaugural Barnet Basketball Festival, scheduled for Sunday, 8th September, at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre. The event, held in collaboration with Barnet Council, promises to be a vibrant celebration of basketball within the Borough.
The festival kicks off with a junior coaching session, offering a unique opportunity for Barnet’s young enthusiasts aged 7-16 to hone their skills under expert guidance. This coaching session is free for Barnet residents to sign up via the Barnet Youth website.
Basketball fans are in for a treat with the Vallectric Hoops Showcase, which will feature two enticing matchups between the Bulldogs and local rivals, London Elite.
The action begins with the Under 18 teams from both clubs clashing in what promises to be a high-energy opener. The main event sees the Senior Men’s teams go head-to-head, providing a first look at the Bulldogs’ newly promoted squad, who are gearing up for their debut in NBL Division 2 South this season. Meanwhile, London Elite will be eager to demonstrate their readiness for a comeback to NBL Division One following last season’s relegation.
This year’s headline sponsor, Vallectric, have had a long-standing presence in the Borough of Barnet, having worked for Barnet Homes across a multitude of schemes for several years and successfully undertaking works spanning a broad spectrum of refurbishment activity within the homes and communal areas of the Barnet housing stock.
Vallentric Managing Director, Greg Slater on sponsoring the event: “We were immediately won over with the passion shown by the Club and we are excited to be involved in something that is fun, interactive, and delivers so many positive elements to the wonderful Barnet community”.
Bulldogs’ Chuck Duru on the event: “I am extremely excited for this event as it has been months of planning. We wanted to host an event which not only promoted the sport within the Borough, but also promotes inclusivity by bringing together a diverse cohort of attendees. We are fortunate to have the support from Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, Vallectric and Barnet Council, which has allowed us to put on the event free of charge to our attendees.”
Beyond the on-court action, the festival offers a full day of entertainment with live music, various competitions, and engaging activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Prizes will be up for grabs throughout the day, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
The festival is free for spectators and tickets can be secured through the Bulldogs’ official website: www.bulldogsbasketball.co.uk/tickets.