City of Portsmouth College and Portsmouth Force join to offer basketball hopefuls a pathway to employment

Starting in September 2025, a new Elite Basketball course will be on offer to students at City of Portsmouth College as it continues its partnership with Portsmouth Force, a local basketball club. The course is only the second of its kind in the area to offer basketball hopefuls a pathway to the professional game and not just on the playing side.

Jack Moore, a sports teacher at the college, is delighted to be introducing the course in Portsmouth. He said: “There was a gap in the market for a basketball provision which supports the development of basketball players and helps forge a career in the sport for them.

“The big thing is it is still the equivalent of three A-levels so students will be able to progress to university following the course outcome while also helping them develop skills in playing, coaching and analysis for careers in the future.”

The college and Portsmouth Force have been in partnership for a number years helping to coach junior teams from the ages of four to 18. It has been a long-held ambition of Force chairman, Rob Milner, to provide a pathway for youth players to get to the first team.

The new course provides that structured pathway while giving students a rounded education on all facets of the sport from playing and coaching to analysis and sport science.

Jack said: “The course is unique, the only other course like this is Itchen in Southampton. To have something like this in the city adds a lot of weight to basketball in Portsmouth.”

Rob Milner, club chairman of Portsmouth Force, said: “The educational course has been years in the making and we are so pleased that it’s been made possible with the collaboration between City of Portsmouth College.

“The course will not only attract elite talent to Portsmouth but also fill the city with more coaches, referees, table officials and other ancillary basketball related talents and skills. I believe it’s the basis for a sustainable platform from which Portsmouth basketball can continue to grow, develop and thrive.

“Thanks to the links with City of Portsmouth College and the educational course, along with developing collaborations with the University of Portsmouth, the future of basketball in our city is by far the brightest it has ever been.”

The news follows on from Portsmouth Force being named as Southern Region Community Club of the year by Basketball England as it continues to grow in the city, offering basketball for all age groups, including a women's team and a men's team, which play in the National Basketball League.

Chris West, community engagement director at Portsmouth Force, said: “We were delighted that Basketball England recognised us as the Southern Region Community Club of the year and this collaboration only strengthens our links within the local area.

“We know the passion that our wonderful city has for football and we want that replicated for basketball. Giving people the opportunity to develop their basketball skills whilst also equipping themselves for a career within the game feels like a perfect opportunity.

“The club and college will continue to collaborate for the benefit of our city.”

Prospective students will be able to find out more about the course on the City of Portsmouth College open day today (Thursday, October 17) from 4.30pm to 7.30pm at the Highbury Campus. A taster session will also be held on Tuesday, October 29.

Portsmouth Force men’s team play their first game of the season on Saturday, October 19 at 6.30pm at the Ravelin Sports Centre. Ticket are available here.

For further information on the course watch the full interview with Jack and Portsmouth Force’s Craig Hughes embedded in this article.