The Glasgow Basketball Community (GBC) was formed in 2019, just before the pandemic, by a group of players who wanted somewhere to play basketball for fun. With limited access to indoor facilities and a desire to bring people together, the group organised outdoor runs in local parks, using the power of social media and WhatsApp to spread the word.
From the outset, the focus was never just basketball. It was about connection.
Building community through basketball
With support from Glasgow Life and basketballscotland, GBC became a formal community group, securing funding through the European sport fund to deliver both indoor and outdoor sessions and events. Over time, this has developed into twice weekly runs at Govan Park Villa Football Development on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, alongside annual outdoor jams across the city.
Those sessions now attract a wide mix of people, predominantly young men in their early 20s through to 40 plus - some members joined as teenagers and have grown with the group over the years. While most participants are male, women have also been part of the community, often using GBC as a welcoming entry point before progressing into competitive women’s teams.
One of the biggest successes of GBC has been the sense of belonging it creates. The regular opportunity to meet, play and socialise has proved vital for many participants’ mental and physical wellbeing. For young men especially, sport often provides a natural gateway into friendship, routine and support, and GBC has created a space where people can learn from one another both on and off the court.
That impact is reflected in the voices of the community itself.
Shaik Ashraf Ali said:
“There are people from all over the place, so I enjoy playing basketball with them. It keeps me fit and is good for my mental and physical health.”
Kalima adds:
“Ball is life, and life can be hard, but this community allows us to forget or evolve this life - sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways. But no matter location, age, time difference, this community of hoopers allows all of us to stay grounded and humble”
Mitchell highlights the wider importance of inclusion, saying:
“Basketball is still a minority sport compared to local sports like football therefore finding other people to play with takes a lot of time and luck. The club that we have managed to form is very inclusive because of basketball's growth and uniqueness within the community. And with that we have a broad range of diversity amongst our members. Not only do we have people of all different playing levels we also have people from different ages, cultures, faiths and communities. And all are welcomed, accepted and encouraged equally which isn’t always the case with a lot of other sports.”
A court of possibilities
Alongside weekly sessions, GBC has prioritised visible, open events that invite the wider public to engage. Since reaching 100 members, the group has hosted annual outdoor jams at Queen’s Park, as well as events at the Transport Museum and Mansfield Park. These jams feature full court 5v5 games, 3x3 and shooting competitions, creating a festival atmosphere that draws in a crowd as well as players wanting to give it a try.
Outdoor basketball has become a core part of the community’s identity, not just by choice but by necessity.
With indoor facilities often oversubscribed or inaccessible, outdoor spaces offer a flexible and visible alternative. Playing outside allows communities to be seen, showing that basketball is welcoming, active and open to anyone who wants to take part! It also encourages others to try something new, whether that is picking up a ball for the first time or simply stopping to watch and connect.
With Glasgow 2026 just around the corner, there is a massive opportunity to embrace the 3x3 game and outdoor basketball, using accessible public spaces to inspire participation and showcase the sport in new and engaging ways.
While many of the outdoor courts currently used are not basketball specific and often designed for multiple activities, GBC believes there is huge potential in improving these spaces. Better outdoor facilities would not only support basketball participation but help address wider challenges around access, inclusion and wellbeing.
At its heart, the Glasgow Basketball Community shows how trying something new does not always mean reinventing the wheel. Sometimes it is about reimagining where sport happens, who it is for, and how it can bring people together.
By stepping outside traditional indoor settings and focusing on community first, GBC has created a model that supports mental health, celebrates diversity and uses public space to make basketball more accessible for everyone!
