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NCC London Lions women make history with first-ever place at National Basketball Finals

NCC London Lions women make history with first-ever place at National Basketball Finals

Congratulations to the NCC London Lions female basketball team who have qualified for the AoC National Finals!

The squad of 13 talented players sealed their place after a superb performance at the regional tournament, held at Score Leisure Centre in Leyton. It is the first time a female basketball team from New City College has won through to the national finals.

The players – who study at Hackney and Havering Sixth Form campuses – will head off to the University of Nottingham from 17 to 19 April 2026 to compete in the tournament, which is the biggest Further Education sporting event in Europe and will bring together over 1,300 competitors across numerous sports, including basketball.

Head Coach Kyla Nelson said it was a phenomenal team effort: “We are very proud of our players to have made it through to the nationals for the first time! It’s fantastic news for the girls. It was a great team effort that showed their determination and talent.”

The Lions stormed through their first game with a confident win, but it was the final match – tied with just two minutes left – that truly tested their spirit. The team dug deep and showed huge resilience to secure their place at the nationals.

What makes the accomplishment even more impressive is that the players, all aged 18 and under, are still a fairly new squad, balancing different study programmes across different campuses, and coming together for just one training session per week. Yet their commitment and energy have built something special.

New City College London Lions female basketball team qualify for the AoC National Finals 2026 for the first time.

Kyla added: “The girls are really enthusiastic and positive. They are committed as they can see what we are trying to build here on the women’s side of the sport. They are being given the chance for some opportunities that they wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else.”

All NCC Basketball Academy athletes, including the women’s squad, benefit from the college’s elite training facility at Hackney Campus, home of the NCC London Lions Academy.

The male NCC London Lions teams also put in strong performances this year at the regionals, with Havering reaching the semi-finals and Epping Forest finishing as runners-up.

NCC London Lions Men's team at the AoC regional tournament. Havering were quarter finalists and Epping Forest were runners-up.
NCC London Lions Men's team at the AoC regional tournament. Havering were quarter finalists and Epping Forest were runners-up.

Are you ready to join the pathway?

Young women across New City College can study any course at any campus – from A Levels to vocational or technical programmes – and still train as part of the NCC London Lions Basketball Academy. It means ambitious players don’t have to choose between their passion and their future career. At NCC they can excel in both.

If you’re inspired by the Lions’ success and want to develop your basketball skills, come along to an NCC Open Event to discover the exciting opportunities within the NCC London Lions pathway. You can meet the coaches, explore our campuses, and take your next step towards becoming part of something exciting.

Sign up for our next trial day in February. Fill out the form and someone will be in touch with more information.

Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
Around 20 New City College London Lions Basketball Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena. The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantatic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.

Exciting news from our Basketball Academy

  • Around 20 of our Academy students – male and female – had the opportunity to gain work experience at a men’s GB vs Lithuania basketball match held at the Copper Box Arena (photos above). The students had prime courtside views and helped with a variety of roles on the day, giving them a fantastic experience of being behind the scenes at an international fixture.
  • Our men’s basketball team recently returned from competing in the EYBL (European Youth Basketball League) tournament in the Czech Republic. Although they were not winners on this occasion, they fought through some tough matches and showed skill and perseverance.

 

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