Basketball Wales wins EDI award for Genesis Pilot Project

Basketball Wales has won the Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Award at the Welsh Sports Association Sports Industry Awards 2026 for its Genesis Pilot Project.

The governing body was recognised for a programme delivered in partnership with Guardian Ballers UK, using basketball to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people from underrepresented and ethnically diverse communities across Cardiff and Newport.

Basketball Wales said the project has created safe and inclusive spaces where young people can connect, build confidence, develop resilience and improve wellbeing through the sport.

The award also underlines the place of inclusion within Basketball Wales’ wider strategy. The organisation says EDI is one of its five strategic pillars and is embedded across grassroots participation, workforce development, performance pathways and governance.

Chief Operating Officer Gavin Williams said Basketball Wales was “absolutely delighted” to receive the award, adding that the Genesis pilot had “proved to be a great success”. He also confirmed that the partnership with Guardian Ballers will continue into 2026/27, with plans to expand the project into new areas of Wales.

Basketball Wales was also shortlisted in the Most Influential Campaign category for its Red Whistle Campaign, which is designed to protect and support young referees and create safer environments across the game.

For Welsh basketball, the recognition is another sign of the sport’s growing community role beyond competition. Alongside work in women’s basketball, wheelchair basketball, coach and official education, safeguarding and workforce development, Basketball Wales is positioning the game as a route into wider social impact.

Image credit: Basketball Wales / Mike Griffiths and Ashley Crowden Photography. Source: Basketball Wales.