A project that started in 2018, announced in September of 2020, and completed in November 2021, the Hoopsfix Foundation partnered with Foot Locker, the NBA and Basketball England to renovate Clapham Common basketball courts.
As part of Foot Locker’s ongoing basketball community program ‘Raise the Game’, where they support and fund local basketball networks and organisations that are invested in driving change within their communities, Clapham joined The Baltizone in Paris, Via Lazio in Milan, and Poblenou in Barcelona as refreshed courts.
The courts – which you can follow on Instagram @claphamcommoncourt – feature FIBA regulation markings across one full court and two half courts, regulation perspex backboards and spring-loaded rings, bleacher seating for 200, height adjustable baskets, flood lights, and an art-design concept developed by Peter Simmons from brand and marketing agency, 5or6.
An associated website was launched with a Discord server to facilitate playing opportunities and bring the community around the courts together, along with a free 5,000 word guide teaching others how to renovate their local basketball court.
The Hoopsfix Foundation made a financial contribution to the project – which was predominantly funded by Foot Locker – out of profits from the annual Hoopsfix All-Star Classic, making it a true community-funded project.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the space, we continue to run events on it to bring together the community. In the summer of 2022 that included Hoopsfix Summer Jam, featuring a 5-on-5 competition – the Clapham Common Cup – and King/Queen of the Trenches, a 1-on-1 competition.
We additionally held five weeks of free coaching sessions for kids with Coach Gary Maitland on the courts through the summer holidays.
