Junior basketball FAQs: How to get started with Leicester Dynamite

Trials season is about to get started again at Leicester Dynamite - the city’s largest youth basketball club.

Our players had a winning season in 2025-26 - and now we are preparing to recruit for 2026-27.

Two of our sides will be playing at JNBL National Premier level.

So how can you get involved? We've prepared this fast guide for how you can try out for our club!

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Getting started in basketball

What age can my child start basketball at Leicester Dynamite?

Leicester Dynamite coaches young players from age 5 upwards. Our Young Heroes pathway caters for players across multiple age groups, from first-time beginners right through to competitive Under-18 national league teams. Whether your child has never held a basketball or is ready to compete at league level, there's a place for them at the club. Our Saturday community sessions at WQE College are the ideal starting point for younger and newer players.

Is Leicester Dynamite open to complete beginners?

Yes - absolutely. Our Saturday community sessions at WQE College and Thursday sessions at Moat Community College are open to all players, all abilities. You don't need any prior experience to join. Sessions focus on fun, skill development, teamwork, and game play in a positive and supportive environment. Competitive team places in our NBL and YBL squads are available for players who develop their skills and are ready to step up.

Do you offer basketball for girls in Leicester?

Yes. Leicester Dynamite runs teams for both boys and girls across multiple age groups. Our YBL Under 17 Girls squad enjoyed significant success in 2025-26 and we are looking into the potential for further squads. Our community sessions are fully mixed and open to all. Girls interested in competitive basketball can progress from community sessions into our youth pathway. We actively encourage girls to give basketball a try - participation in women's basketball in the UK has grown significantly in recent years.

Where are Leicester Dynamite's sessions held?

Competitive junior training and community sessions are held at WQE College (Regent Road campus) in Leicester. The Ball Hall is a £1.9m purpose-built facility opened in 2014, with full changing rooms, off-street parking (accessible from Lancaster Road, opposite the Attenborough Arts Centre), and state-of-the-art courts. Additional community sessions run on Thursdays at Moat Community College, also in Leicester. Match play travels around the East Midlands and into South Yorkshire for NBL fixtures.

How much does it cost to join Leicester Dynamite?

Leicester Dynamite is a not-for-profit organisation. We charge a competitive single monthly membership fee, paid by direct debit, which covers all regular training sessions and competitive games. We have a support system - backed by the Samworth Brothers Community Opportunity Fund - for families who would genuinely struggle with the cost. It covers membership, kit, and travel expenses. No child should be excluded from basketball because of financial barriers. Contact us to find out more.

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Age groups & teams

What age groups does Leicester Dynamite have teams for?

Leicester Dynamite operated 9 youth squads in the 2025-26 season, working with more than 135 young competitors. In the Junior National Basketball League (JNBL), the club fields teams at:

• Under 12
• Under 14
• Under 16
• Under 18

Our Your Basketball League (YBL) squads compete at Under 13, Under 15, Under 17 Boys (two squads), and Under 17 Girls. This means there is a structured competitive pathway available for almost every junior age group.

What is the difference between the NBL and YBL teams?

The Junior National Basketball League (JNBL) is Basketball England’s premier competitive national league. Based on regional divisions, it draws teams from across England. Your Basketball League (YBL) is a regional grassroots structure for the Midlands, designed to give players competitive game time in a less intensive environment. Many Leicester Dynamite players have competed in both pathways - the YBL developing players who then step up to NBL level.

Is there an Under 12 basketball team in Leicester?

Yes. Leicester Dynamite fields a JNBL Under 12 team competing strongly in the Junior National Basketball League. Our U12s are one of Leicester Dynamite's flagship squads - our club has a proud history at this age group, having entered the national league as far back as 2003. Players joining the U12s train and play at WQE College, with away fixtures across our region. Annual tryouts take place each May; mid-season assessments are also available.

Is there an Under 14 basketball team in Leicester?

Leicester Dynamite's JNBL Under 14s recently won back-to-back away games in the playoffs to earn promotion to the North Premier division. This is one of the club's most successful age groups. Players from across Leicestershire - including those based in Loughborough, Hinckley, and Melton Mowbray - travel to train and compete with our U14s. If your child is ready to test themselves at national league level, register for a U14 tryout.

Is there an Under 16 basketball team in Leicester?

Yes. Our JNBL Under 16s are a nationally competitive squad - in the current season, for example, U16 player Asher Ogan was selected for the England Talent Programme. Competing at this level demands commitment, but the rewards are significant: several Dynamite players have gone on to earn US basketball scholarships. Tryouts for U16 places are held each May, with the option of a mid-season assessment for players who want to join outside of the main tryout window.

Is there an Under 18 basketball team in Leicester?

Yes. Leicester Dynamite's JNBL Under 18s are part of our longest-established competitive pathway - the club first entered and won the league in back-to-back seasons in the early 2000s. Our U18 programme bridges junior and senior basketball: players who come through this pathway are well-positioned to trial for our senior team when they turn 18.

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Trial dates & joining us

How do I find basketball trials near me in Leicester?

Leicester Dynamite holds annual junior tryouts each May at WQE College, Regent Road, Leicester. The 2026-27 trial sessions are structured by age group. If you miss the annual tryout window, mid-season assessments are available on request. Contact the club by email to register your interest.

What do I need to bring to Leicester Dynamite basketball trials?

Your child should wear comfortable sports clothing and trainers suitable for indoor courts. No specialist kit is needed for tryouts - this comes after joining the club. Arrive 10-15 minutes before your session begins to allow for registration. The WQE College Ball Hall has full changing facilities. Parents are welcome to watch. There is off-street parking accessible from Lancaster Road (opposite the Attenborough Arts Centre).

What are coaches looking for at Leicester Dynamite trials?

Tryout sessions assess basketball fundamentals, athleticism, and attitude - not just current ability. Coaches look at ball-handling, movement, communication, and how well a player responds to instruction. Leicester Dynamite was founded on the belief that sport develops leaders both on and off the court - so character matters as much as skill. Players who aren't ready for a competitive squad may be directed to our community sessions, giving them coaching to develop before re-trialling.

Can players join mid-season if they miss the main tryouts?

Yes. While annual tryouts are held each May, Leicester Dynamite welcomes mid-season assessments. Contact the club and they will invite your child to attend a community session alongside their appropriate age group. This ensures no player misses out simply because of timing. Mid-season places are subject to squad availability within each age group.

My child is new to basketball - can they still try out for a team?

Community sessions are the recommended starting point for complete beginners. Saturday sessions at WQE College and Thursday sessions at Moat Community College are designed for players of all abilities, including those with zero experience. Players who develop their skills through community sessions can then progress into competitive tryouts. Our Young Heroes pathway is designed precisely to take players from their first session to national league competition.

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Basketball holiday camps

When and where are Leicester Dynamite's community basketball sessions?

Community sessions run at two venues in Leicester:

• Saturday mornings at WQE College, Regent Road campus, Leicester
• Thursdays evenings Moat Community College, Leicester

Sessions are open to all players and all abilities. There is no prior experience or club membership required to attend your first session. They are the ideal way for your child to try basketball before committing to a competitive pathway. Contact the club to confirm current times and any session changes.

Does Leicester Dynamite run basketball holiday camps?

Yes. Leicester Dynamite runs basketball camps during school holidays - giving junior players aged 5–18 the opportunity to get active, socialise, and develop their game in a supportive community setting. Holiday camps are delivered with support from Leicester City Council’s HAF programme and the Samworth Brothers Community Opportunity Fund. Camp dates are announced each season - follow Leicester Dynamite on Instgram (@leicester_dynamite) for the latest announcements.

Are the holiday camps suitable for beginners?

Yes. Holiday camps are designed to be welcoming to all abilities, from first-timers to players already competing in leagues. The focus is on fun, skill development, and community - not selection or performance pressure. Holiday camps are also an excellent way for players from Loughborough, Hinckley, Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough, Ashby, Coalville, Rutland, and other areas to try out Leicester Dynamite coaching without committing to a full-season programme.

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Player catchment area

Is Leicester Dynamite only for players from Leicester?

No. Leicester Dynamite draws players from across Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands. Players based in Loughborough, Hinckley, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Ashby, Market Harborough, Rutland, and beyond regularly travel to train and compete with the club.

What makes Leicester Dynamite different from other junior basketball clubs?

Leicester Dynamite is Leicester's largest junior basketball club, with 9 youth squads and more than 135 players. The club has been operating since 1997, entered national league competition in 2003, and has produced players who have gone on to earn US basketball scholarships and represent England. Founder Dave Harris was named Basketball England Volunteer of the Year in 2025.

What leagues do Leicester Dynamite junior teams compete in?

Junior teams compete in two leagues. The National Basketball League (NBL) - which sits directly below the professional Super League - covers U12, U14, U16, and U18 age groups, with fixtures played across the East Midlands and into South Yorkshire. The Youth Basketball League (YBL) is a Midlands regional league covering U13, U15, and U17 age groups. Both leagues offer structured, competitive basketball in a well-governed national framework. Match schedules are available via Basketball England's website.

Has Leicester Dynamite won any trophies or national titles?

Yes - we have an impressive competitive record. Leicester Dynamite won the NBL league in their very first season (2003) at U16 level, then won back-to-back NBL titles at U18 level in the following two seasons. Most recently, the U14s secured promotion to the North Premier division, and the U16s won their league and earned promotion in the same season - with players selected for the England Talent Programme.