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.
Graham Williams Tournament Results 2023
| 28th December | | | |
| Trafford | 60-76 | Manchester Giants | 10:30am |
| St. Helens Saints | 96-52 | City of Edinburgh | 10:30am |
| Magic | 77-54 | St. Helens Saints | 12:30pm |
| City of Birmingham Rockets | 71-80 | Manchester Giants | 12:30pm |
| 3 Point Contest | 2:30pm | ||
| Trafford | 73-67* | City of Birmingham Rockets | 3:30pm |
| Magic | 100-62 | City of Edinburgh | 3:30pm |
| 29th December | |||
| Trafford | W-L | City of Edinburgh | 10:00am (A) |
| St Helens Saints | 20-0 | City of Birmingham Rockets | 10:00am (B) |
| Magic | W-L | Trafford | 12:30pm (C) |
| Manchester Giants | L-W | St Helens Saints | 12:30pm (D) |
| Dunk Contest | 2:30pm | ||
| City of Edinburgh | 25-40 | Trafford | 3:00pm 3rd/5th |
| City of Edinburgh | 12-51 | Manchester Giants | 4:00pm 3rd/5th |
| Trafford | 46-39 | Manchester Giants | 5:00pm 3rd/5th |
| Magic | 66-58 | St. Helens Saints | 6:00pm Final |
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.