Sports, Leisure & Recreation (2)
around the Metropolitan Boroughs of Greater Manchester

Reddish Vale Road, Stockport SK5.
Tel: 0161-477 7900.
The local league is the Budweiser Basketball League, and the season runs from September to April. Manchester's only local team is the Manchester Giants, who play at the Manchester Arena. All the following teams play in Division One:

Amaechi Basketball Centre,
Whalley Range High School For Girls,
Manchester M16 8GW.
Tel: 0161-881-0090. Fax: 0161-881-9451
Website: www.gmybasketball.co.uk

The Club was started in 1997 by Joe and Maggie Forber and Graham Williams and is now believed to be the largest National League Club in England. The acquisition of Trafford Basketball Centre in Sale created a 2-court venue on a school site. It soon became evident that this site was not big or modern enough to fulfil the needs of the Club so a new venue at Whalley Range High School for Girls has been developed with aid from, Manchester City Council and sponsorship by John Amaechi.

The Centre boasts:

• Basketball Hall with 3 International-size basketball courts, sprung wooden floor
• 10 x 5-a-side outdoor football pitches
• Aerobics area
• Fitness suite, physiotherapy facilities
• Bar/Conference facilities
• Total cost £2.1million
• GMYBC contribution of £250,000 donated by John Amaechi
• Completely controlled by Greater Manchester Youth Basketball Club
• Will operate 7 days per week
• All National League games and practices will be held there
• Manchester Magic will play all their home games there
• The Club will run a full range of community basketball activities - playing in leagues, coaching sessions, courses for referees, coaches and table officials.
• All ages catered for, Primary Schools to adults.
• At peak use, 2500 youngsters are expected to use the Hall weekly.
  

See Also: John Amaechi.

Manchester Evening News Arena

MANCHESTER FLAMES

Currently playing in Division 2 of the National League.

OLDHAM & ROCHDALE CELTICS

Middleton Leisure Centre,
Suffield Street, Middleton.
Telephone: 0161-643 2894.
Tickets about £4.50 with concessions (prices may have changed - please check). Take the 412 bus from Manchester to Middleton - a 5 minute walk.

BURY WILDCATS

Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton Street, Bury.
Tel: 0161-761 4634.
Tickets about £2.50 (Possibly subject to change - check before stting out). Take Metrolink from Manchester to Bury Interchange. About 5 minutes walk thereafter.

WHALLEY RANGE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Wilbraham Road, Whalley Range, Manchester M16.
For information Tel: 0161-232 3100.
New £2 million state-of-the-art international standard basketball centre. Coaching, competitions, league and to national standards.

SALFORD BASKETBALL CENTRE

Canon Williamson CofE High School, Northfleet Road,
Peel Green, Eccles, Salford M30 7PQ.
Tel: 0793 958 2460.
Email: salford@basketballcentres.co.uk
Website: www.basketballcentres.co.uk/salford