Trafalgar Square is not only famous around the globe for its position bang in the centre of the city and the storied history of Nelson’s Column, but also plays host to many an event each year. From food pop-ups to commemorating religious festivals, it’s usually filled got something going on at the weekend in London.
In all its years, though, Trafalgar Square has never hosted a basketball competition – but that’s all about to change in the summer. Next month, there will be three courts put up in the space to welcome the final of the NBA’s Junior 3v3 tournament.
Credit: @ldnmevents, via IG
Schoolchildren from across the capital will compete in the first-ever basketball event at Trafalgar Square, with views of the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column spurring them on. There will be finalists from 10 different schools in the city, with three wheelchair basketball clubs also playing at the competition with boys, girls, and mixed categories that have all qualified for the finals from a pool of 315 teams.
Schools signed up earlier in the year for matches beginning in January, with the event open to hundreds of schools as part of a flagship for increased basketball among young people that was set up by London Marathon Events collaborating with the NBA. A number of children from Primary Schools around the city will also be invited to take part in coaching on one of the courts at the event.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who the event is supported by, said: “I am proud to support this innovative collaboration between London Marathon Events and the NBA, which I hope inspires more young people to play basketball in schools across the capital. The competition builds on the work of the new basketball taskforce I have created to grow the game and create positive opportunities for young people as we work together to build a better London for everyone.”
The NBA Junior 3v3 competition takes place on Friday, June 6 at Trafalgar Square.