Performance Women's Basketball
Loughborough University Basketball Club offers a unique and high-level basketball experience, made possible through our close partnership with the Leicester Riders, the most successful professional basketball club in the UK. This collaboration provides multiple elite playing opportunities and a clear performance pathway for student-athletes.
Our Women’s 1st Team features players who compete in either the Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL) or the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Division 1, alongside representing Loughborough in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). This dual commitment allows athletes to gain experience at both the professional and university level while continuing their academic studies.
In total, we have four women’s teams representing the University in BUCS competitions, providing opportunities for a wide range of players to develop, compete, and balance both sport and education. In 2023, Loughborough Basketball was proud to be crowned BUCS Champions, demonstrating the strength and depth of our programme.
Our coaching staff recruit talent throughout the year, but we also host open trials at the start of each academic year in October, giving all students the chance to earn a place on one of our competitive teams.
Benefits
Our star alumni
McKenzie Johnston
MSc Sports Management
Basketball
- Current player for Loughborough and Leicester Riders
- Voted Teams Defensive Player 2019
Lauren Dabbs
BSc Sports Science, Coaching and Physical Education
- Current player for Loughborough and Leicester Riders
- Helped to win a BUCS Championship for Loughborough University last season
Georgia Jones
MSc Sports Management graduate
Basketball
- Played for Leicester Riders from 2013 – 2016 and now works for Basketball England as marketing officer
Kastine Evans
MSc Applied Finance and Banking graduate
Basketball
- Played professionally for Leicester Riders whilst completing her masters
- Now resides in the US and is a NCAA WBB Official and a Varsity High School Official
I chose Loughborough University because of my opportunity to play professional basketball for the Leicester Riders. The girls on my team all come from many different cultures, so that has just been a unique experience in itself. The culture is all about becoming better; whether that may be in our sport, community, classroom, etc. I’ve honestly loved getting to be a part of the team here.
Coaches
Ben Stanley
Head of Women’s Programme
Ben is the newly appointed Head of the Women’s Programme at Loughborough University, leading the Women’s 1st BUCS team and serving as Head Coach for the Leicester Riders WBBL side. He joins Loughborough following a standout season with Team Solent Kestrels, where he was named NBL Women’s Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a league title.
Tor Freeman
BUCS 2 / NBL Division 1 Head Coach
Tor is the Head Coach of Loughborough’s BUCS 2 team and the WNBL Division 1 squad. Prior to joining Loughborough, he led Oaklands Wolves in the WBBL, bringing valuable experience from the top level of women’s basketball in the UK.
Nick Moodey
Assistant Coach
Nick serves as an Assistant Coach within the women’s programme and is currently the Head Coach at Charnwood College Academy. He plays a key role in developing young talent and supporting the transition of academy players into the university and professional pathways.
Prospective students
Basketball at Loughborough continues to grow and evolve and are always looking for fresh new talented players to help the programme continue to improve. If you are interested in getting involved in basketball at Loughborough please email us with your full details.