There are four main reasons.

Fixtures and organisation
Games were being rearranged too often. Some teams withdrew late or could not commit to the schedule. This made the season difficult to manage for everyone.

Payments
Some teams paid late or did not pay. This created ongoing problems when booking venues and officials.

Venue issues
Unavoidable venue closures earlier in the season caused delays and changes. This pushed the season longer than planned and increased frustration.

Behaviour and respect
Basketball should be competitive, but it must also be respectful. Poor sportsmanship, arguing with officials or organisers, and a lack of respect for opponents is not acceptable.
Lincoln Basketball will not run a league where this behaviour becomes normal.

Lincoln Basketball CIC is run by volunteers. We do not get paid to organise leagues. All money we receive is put back into community basketball. Our time and capacity are limited, so we must focus on what is stable and positive for the game.

Since 2021, Lincoln Basketball has rebuilt the sport locally. We have created regular games, supported new teams, and provided training, open sessions, youth activity, women’s sessions and 3x3 competitions.

What happens next

The Home and Away League will continue and will now be the main competition.
We will organise and support this free of charge.
New teams are welcome if they can commit to the structure.

Player insurance and membership are held directly with Basketball England.

Any Central Venue League money that needs to be returned will be reviewed and refunded where appropriate. A financial breakdown will be shared with team representatives.

We want to thank the many teams, players, referees, table officials, photographers and volunteers who have supported the league positively. Most of the community has helped rebuild basketball in Lincoln, and we will continue to support you.

If any group would like to run their own central league, they are free to do so. We are happy to offer advice if asked.

From March 2026, the central venue time will be used for more community basketball:

More training sessions
Regular open scrimmages
Small sided and 3x3 events
Recreational basketball for all levels

Our focus remains the same.
More people playing.
Better standards.
A respectful basketball community.

Lincoln Basketball CIC