Rule changes in place ahead of new basketball season

Basketball returned to the NSC on Thursday as the 2026/27 Senior League season tipped off with an officials course and rapid-fire friendly tournament.

Senior referees Paul Ellison and Rob Ewan took the assembled players through some of the new rules and regulations for this season, including a discussion on charge/block principles which have been a hot topic of debate for a number of years.

Meanwhile Ben Campbell brought the teams through a new electronic scoresheet system which has been made possible through a grant from Isle of Man Sport.

The new system will allow key stats to be collected for every player and includes a free-to-use app where fans can follow live score and stat updates as games are played.

The new season has also seen a change in league rules, making it easier for clubs to run multiple teams. The change allows players to transfer between matchday squads week to week, with some limitations on the number of transfers.

While only a subtle change – some level of player transfer has been possible in the past – the new league rule will make it easier for clubs to run smaller second teams without the worry about illness or injury leading to forfeit.

Southern Phoenix and Wolves have already taken advantage of the new setup with both clubs entering a second team in the 2026/27 season.

Two new squads mean a total of nine teams will compete for the championship with a double-round robin format leading into play-off finals in April.

DGU Jets are the defending champions this year, after besting Wolves in a thrilling 74-63 final. With many of the squad returning they have a good chance of retaining the title and completing the association’s first three-peat victory for over 15 years.

But there’s change at Wolves as the club have split in two in order to enter a second squad.

New additions of Oliver Hamilton, Jack Wilkinson and Evan O’Dea will help to bolster both Wolves sides and the club are hoping for a return to championship winning ways after last season’s disappointing final.

Southern Phoenix have also added a number of new rookies to their line-up, allowing the addition of another team in this year’s league.

Their trademark pace down the court will continue as Michael Pardoe and Matthew Jones are joined by new recruits Vannin and Rowan Coulter, bolstering their ability to run other teams off the court.

League veterans Cavaliers also return this season, with shooting star Chris Wolfendale continuing to work in tandem with big man Dave Minay to power their hopes of silverware.

Hoops also return this season as the club nears its 15th anniversary in the Senior League.

Becky Dunne, Danielle Murphy and sisters Gemma and Zoe Kirkham continue to lead the charge, while rising stars Mairi Harrison and Rhi Evans are joined by rookie Lucy Radcliffe for the 2026/27 season.

Cannons also make a return for their third season in the league and their shooting prowess was on full display at last Thursday’s friendly tournament as Dylan Evans and Samson Shimming drained multiple three-pointers.

John Long joins the squad from D2, along with Ryan Ripamonti who returns to senior action after an extended absence from the leagues.

Cheldan Property Pirates round out the competition with a good mix of speed and inside play that caused some problems for teams last year.

Senior League action tips off this Thursday at 7pm in the NSC main hall. DGU Jets will face Southern Phoenix in the opening game, then at 8.30pm both Wolves sides see action as Wolves B take on Cannons while Cavaliers will face Wolves A.

All games are open to spectators with courtside seating freely available for anyone wishing to attend.

The D2 Development League also returns this Thursday night running from 6-8.30pm in the main hall of the NSC.

Aimed at players in school Years 7 to 11, this league runs weekly games aimed at providing solid competition for the island’s growing pool of talented young players.

Registration costs £21 for association membership with a weekly fee of £3 per player. New players will be assigned a team by the coaches in attendance, with full team schedules set by the end of the month.

All youth players are welcome to attend and play.

Recent weeks also saw a group of young basketballers head off to a weeklong residential camp in the UK as the island renewed its link with NBC Camps.

Originally founded in the USA, the Isle of Man was the first NBC venue outside of North America as the camp ran for almost 20 years at King William’s College.

Despite moving site to the Worcestershire, the links with the local association remain strong and a group of 15 young players and three coaches set off the Malvern Hills for the complete skills camp.

Competition was tough but the island’s rising stars made a good impression. Oliver Hamilton, Samson Shimmin and Rowan Coulter proved strong contenders on the offensive end of the floor, with a series of quick breaks and swish shooting that impressed the camp’s coaching staff.

Meanwhile, island prospects Seb Smith and Evan O’Dea gave stand out performances as some of the toughest defenders during the week.

Providing local talent the opportunity to face off against players from around the UK and further afield is key to growing the local game and building toward the 2029 Island Games in the Isle of Man.

The trip to NBC Camps would not have been possible without the continued support of the Steam Packet through its Manx Community Assistance Fund.

A grant provided by the fund helped to subsidise transport for the group, enabling the trip to go ahead at a price that was affordable to local players.

The Isle of Man Basketball Association would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to the company for their continued support this year and into the future as they build toward the Faroe Island Games next year and the 2029 home games.

MARTIN DUNNE