Gloucester City Basketball were delighted to announce the return of the Grainger Cup on the 30th April at Oxstalls Sports Park.
This year it’s the men’s turn as an All-Star type event will take place seeing Team Gloucester take on Team Bristol in honour and celebration of local Chairman, Joe Grainger who sadly passed away in 2020. A unique and widely loved member of the basketball community, leading the initial conversation around seeing professional basketball brought to the county. Our ethos of inclusivity was a core value in Joe’s beliefs as a chairman, coach and person. Our wish is for all who join us as a club to remember his valued work and contribution to the foundations of Gloucester City Basketball.
The event raised money for the Hollie Gazzard Trust, created following the murder of 20-year-old Hollie Gazzard in 2014 by an ex-partner. Set up by parents Nick and Mandy, along with sister Chloe, the charity helps reduce domestic violence through creating and delivering programmes on domestic abuse and promoting healthy relationships to schools and colleges. The ultimate aim of the Trust is to positively change the lives of young people through partnerships in communities, as well as working alongside other charities and professional agencies.
Nick Gazzard said: ”It was a real pleasure to be a part of this event. Personally, I grew up in Bristol and now live in Gloucester, so both locations mean a lot to me. Also, to have the support of such a big event is great for raising awareness of what we do, and, of course, the fundraising helps us to continue. A huge thank you to the organisers for putting on a great spectacle for basketball and supporting us. THANK YOU!”
The event has lofty expectations to be the biggest basketball event that’s been held in the county with not only the game to enjoy but cheerleaders, MC, DJ, giveaways, food, drink and we are delighted Always Ballin will be supporting us with merchandise.
Classic Morrow Ballers Club put together a Team Bristol, the basketball division of the clothing brand Classic Morrow. Their goals is to cultivate a competitive basketball community in Bristol and create a collective of ballers through a range of events.
Team Gloucester eventually came out on top 94 – 92! An incredible showing of basketball for the county.
Thank you to Gloucester City Basketball for organising a great event and supporting the Hollie Gazzard Trust.