Graham is a Founder Member of our Club, alongside Joe and Maggie Forber. We started the Club in late 1996 and began to compete in National League basketball in season 1997-98.
I wanted to have Graham alongside me at the beginning as I knew him well and really respected the way he was able to get the best out of his players with his positive, encouraging coaching.
It became evident quickly that he was ideal to be at the forefront of coaching at our Club. Initially, he was a volunteer, but later left his teaching role at Burnage High School to become a full-time employee with the main responsibility of National League coaching on the boys’ side.
People in basketball who go back a while will know that, at the top level of Age Group National League basketball, he was immensely successful, mainly coaching the older boys’ teams. The banners at the Centre will testify to his magnificent successes.
Being the modest man he is, he had to be persuaded to put his name to this Challenge day but Penny, his wife, and I, eventually prevailed and he finally accepted our invitation to call it the Graham Williams Challenge. We hope it may become a much bigger tournament run on an annual basis.
Graham will be in to present the trophy and we look forward to seeing him at the event.
The Graham Williams Challenge Results 2022
| Thursday 29th December | | | |
| Manchester Magic U16 | 73-48 | Manchester Giants | 10:00am |
| City of Birmingham Rockets | 82-64 | Manchester Giants | 12:30pm |
| Manchester Magic U16 | 81-58 | City of Birmingham Rockets | 3:00pm |
Manchester Magic Champions, City of Birmingham Rockets 2nd, Manchester Giants 3rd.