England Development Programme (EDP)
The Basketball England, England Development Programme (EDP) forms part of the national talent pathway and is the delivery programme for the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) in basketball.
Designed for talented athletes aged 16–19, the programme provides the opportunity to combine high-performance basketball with further education or sixth-form study. Players train and compete in an elite environment while continuing their academic development, preparing them for future opportunities both within and beyond the sport.
The programme is a key part of the Manchester Magic & Manchester Mystics player development pathway and aligns with the club’s mission of “Enhancing Lives Through Basketball.”
Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE)
The DiSE programme is a two-year qualification funded by the Department for Education and regulated by Ofqual.
It is designed for student-athletes who demonstrate the potential to achieve excellence in basketball.
The programme delivers a combined education and performance pathway, enabling students to balance their sporting ambitions with academic study. Through this approach, athletes develop the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to pursue a dual career, whether in elite sport or future employment beyond basketball.
In addition to their academic studies, athletes work towards an additional qualification in sporting excellence, supporting their long-term personal and professional development.
DiSE places are limited nationally, and the club is allocated only a set number of places each year.
Elite Academy Basketball Leagues (EABL & WEABL)
The Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL) and Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL) provide the competitive platform for the DiSE programme.
Launched in 2012 in partnership with the Association of Colleges, these leagues represent the highest level of school and college basketball competition in England.
Key features include:
- Competition for elite 16–19-year-old players
- Teams divided into North and South conferences
- Weekly fixtures played every Wednesday afternoon
- Opportunities to compete for league titles, cups and national play-offs
The leagues provide consistent high-level competition, allowing athletes to test themselves against the best young players in the country throughout the academic year.
Manchester Magic & Mystics Academy
The Manchester Magic & Mystics Academy operates as a club-based programme within the EABL and WEABL structure, combining elite basketball with high-quality education through its college partnerships.
Partnership with Loreto Sixth Form College
The academy works in partnership with Loreto Sixth Form College to provide student-athletes with an environment where they can successfully combine academic achievement with elite basketball development.
Loreto Sixth Form College is recognised for its high academic standards and has been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted, reflecting its commitment to delivering excellent education and student support.
Through this partnership, players can pursue their academic studies at Loreto while competing in the EABL or WEABL, allowing them to balance elite sport with academic success.
For Loreto, the partnership strengthens its commitment to sporting excellence and student opportunity, helping attract talented student-athletes while enhancing the college’s sporting profile.
For the club, the collaboration ensures that players develop within a structured and supportive academic environment, preparing them for future opportunities such as university sport, professional basketball, or scholarships in the United States.
Together, the partnership creates a balanced pathway that values both education and elite athletic development.
Quote from Loreto College Staff Member – Lewis Van Deursen
“Loreto College are proud to be partners with Manchester Magic & Mystics Basketball Club. We have worked together for a number of years now, offering high quality education to student athletes. Our partnership have strengthened throughout the years, utilising our education institution for dedicated athletes looking to better their future.”
To find out more about Loreto College please follow Home – Loreto
Partnership with The Manchester College
The academy also works in partnership with The Manchester College, providing student-athletes with access to a broader range of vocational and career-focused courses alongside their basketball commitments.
This pathway allows players within the EDP and DiSE programme to pursue practical qualifications aligned with their career interests, while continuing to train and compete in the EABL or WEABL.
By offering both academic and vocational study routes, the partnership ensures players develop valuable skills and qualifications for life beyond basketball.
To find out more about Manchester College please follow – The Manchester College: It Starts With You
Player Pathway & Alumni
Through the academy programme, Under-19 players compete against some of the strongest academy teams in the country while benefiting from a structured high-performance environment.
The programme has helped develop a number of successful players including Michael Anumba, Gina Brierley, Kayem Cleary, and Aaron Menzies, as well as more recent players such as Jack Walton, Demi Babalola, Carina Costa, Ellie Costa, and Irene Oboavwoduo, many of whom have gone on to achieve success at domestic and international level.
Player Development Opportunities
For players aspiring to represent their country or pursue opportunities at college programmes in the United States, academy basketball provides an important development platform.
Athletes benefit from:
- Regular competition against elite academy teams across England
- Game footage and analysis from all EABL and WEABL fixtures to create highlight reels
- Strength and conditioning support delivered by staff at Manchester Metropolitan University
- A professional training environment focused on long-term athlete development
This structure ensures players are supported both on the court and in the classroom, helping them maximise their potential while preparing for future opportunities in sport, education and employment.
2025/2026 Squads & Staff
| EABL | WEABL | ||
| Coach – Tom Paraskeva Assistant Coach – Adz Osinaike | Coach – Peter Paraskeva Assistant Coach – Rob Fairely | ||
| Abraham Sagay Isiorho | Year 2 | Irene Oboavwoduo | Year 2 |
| Allan Adetula | Year 1 | Isobelle Aldcroft | Year 1 |
| Corben Simpson | Year 1 | Jazmine Harvey | Year 2 |
| David Allotey | Year 1 | Jessica Jenkins | Year 1 |
| Demi Babalola | Year 2 | Katie Smith | Year 2 |
| Harley Blake | Year 2 | Maani Friday | Year 1 |
| Jack Odongo | Year 2 | Morayo Ogungoen | Year 1 |
| Jack Styczen O’Keefe | Year 1 | Paige Jagger | Year 2 |
| Jack Walton | Year 2 | Ruvimbo Chinamasa | Year 2 |
| Kayden Litchmore | Year 1 | Sally Robinson | Year 1 |
| Lewis Clayton | Year 1 | Wayet Gore | Year 2 |
| Nathan Brown | Year 2 | ||
| Olasunkanmi Wayas | Year 1 | ||
| Samuel Mulomba | Year 2 | ||
| Samy Sidi Boumedine | Year 2 | ||
| Tarique Kazmi | Year 3 | ||
| Tiego Weekes | Year 2 | ||
| Tom Richardson | Year 2 | ||
- North EABL League Winners 25/26
- Qualified for the EABL final on 26th March in Essex
EABL/WEABL ACCOLADES
2010–2015 (Loreto College / Early Magic Era)
2010–11
- Tom Devitt — EABL Championship Finals MVP
- Team: EABL Champions (Loreto College)
2011–12
- Team: EABL Runner-up (Loreto College)
2016–2019 (Loreto → Manchester Magic transition)
2016–17
- Kaiyem Cleary — EABL All-Conference First Team
- Michael Anumba — EABL All-Conference Second Team
- Michael Anumba — West Conference Defensive Player of the Year
2022–2023 (Manchester Magic / Mystics Academy)
EABL Awards
- Matt Goodwin — U17 Player of the Year
- Joe Buchanan — All-Conference First Team
- Ben Brown — All-Conference First Team
- Matt Goodwin — All-Conference Second Team
WEABL Awards
- Isobel Robinson — North Conference MVP
- Isobel Robinson — U17 Player of the Year
- Daisy Bryan — Defensive Player of the Year (North)
- Rob Fairley — Coach of the Year (North)
- Alejandra Escriva-Gay — All-Conference First Team
- Isobel Robinson — All-Conference First Team
- Jo Vourliotis — All-Conference Second Team
2023–2024
WEABL Awards
- Alexandra Hernandez — Defensive Player of the Year (North)
- Sara Blake-Smith — Most Improved Player (North)
2024–2025
WEABL Awards
- Elizandra Costa — North Conference MVP
- Peter Paraskeva — Coach of the Year (North)
- Alexandra Hernandez — Defensive Player of the Year (North)
- Carina Costa — Most Improved Player (North)
- Irene Oboavwoduo — U17 Player of the Year
WEABL All-Conference
- Elizandra Costa — All-Conference First Team
- Irene Oboavwoduo — All-Conference First Team
- Carina Costa — All-Conference Second Team
EABL Awards
- Demi Babalola — All-Conference First Team (North)
- Jack Walton — All-Conference First Team (North)
- Ronney Ani — All-Conference Second Team (North)
2025-26
WEABL All-Conference
- Page Jagger – All-Conference First Team (North)
EABL Awards
- Demi Babalola – North Conference MVP
- Demi Babalola – North Conference Defensive Player of the Year
- Tom Paraskeva – North Conference Coach of the Year
EABL All-Conference
- Jack Walton – All-Conference First Team (North)
- Demi Babalola – All-Conference First Team (North)
Other Academy Competition Awards
2023 WEABL 3×3
- Josephine Vourliotis — 3-Point Contest Champion
Manchester Magic Academy Fixtures
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/10/25 | Manchester Magic Academy | 81-77 | Charnwood College Riders |
| 15/10/25 | Myerscough | 60-71 | Manchester Magic Academy |
| 12/11/25^ | Manchester Magic Academy | 85-78 | Derby College Trailblazers |
| 19/11/25 | BMET City of Birmingham Rockets | 65-95 | Manchester Magic Academy |
| 03/12/25 | Manchester Magic Academy | 99-72 | SGS College |
| 10/12/25 | Charnwood College Riders | 68-73 | Manchester Magic Academy |
| 14/01/26 | Manchester Magic Academy | 71-78 | Myerscough |
| 21/01/26 | Derby College Trailblazers | 68-75 | Manchester Magic Academy |
| 04/02/26 | Manchester Magic Academy | 106-57 | BMET City of Birmingham Rockets |
| 11/02/26 | SGS College | 53-87 | Manchester Magic Academy |
| 04/03/26# | Manchester Magic Academy | 77-65 | Oaklands Academy Wolves Play-off QF |
| 11/03/26~ | Manchester Magic Academy | 88-69 | Itchen College Play-off SF |
| 26/03/26 | Manchester Magic Academy | 72-83 | Myerscough Play-off Final Essex 5:00pm LiveStream |
Manchester Mystics Academy Fixtures
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19/11/25 | Manchester Mystics Academy | 71-69* | Charnwood College Riders |
| 26/11/25 | Manchester Mystics Academy | 56-63 | Nottingham Academy Wildcats |
| 03/12/25 | The Sheffield College | 34-71 | Manchester Mystics Academy |
| 07/01/26 | Milton Keynes 5 Dimensions Breakers | 61-79 | Manchester Mystics Academy |
| 14/01/26* | Manchester Mystics Academy | 77-50 | BMET City of Birmingham Rockets |
| 21/01/26^ | Manchester Mystics Academy | 58-64 | Milton Keynes 5 Dimensions Breakers Academy |
| 28/01/26 | BMET City of Birmingham Rockets | 41-82 | Manchester Mystics Academy |
| 04/02/26 | Charnwood College Riders | 53-63 | Manchester Mystics Academy |
| 11/02/26 | Manchester Mystics Academy | 64-54 | The Sheffield College |
| 25/02/26 | Nottingham Academy Wildcats | vs | Manchester Mystics Academy |
| 04/03/26# | Manchester Mystics Academy | 43-50 | Barking Abbey Play-off QF |
| 12/03/26~ | Manchester Mystics Academy | 20-0 | Milton Keynes 5 Dimensions Breakers Academy 5th-8th Place |
| 18/03/26 | Manchester Mystics Academy | 40-59 | Oaklands Wolves 5th-6th Place 3:00pm at TMC^ |