Talk by Riders Chairman offers insights into running a top-flight basketball team
A public lecture at the University of Leicester on 27 November offers a unique insight into the management of Leicester’s legendary basketball club, the Leicester Riders. Kevin Routledge, Chairman of Leicester Riders, will speak on ‘The trials and tribulations of running an English basketball club’.
The Leicester Riders is the oldest basketball club in the UK operating at the top flight, now into its sixth decade of operation, after its founding in 1967. The club was a founder member of the National League when it was established in 1973 by the national governing body, then the EBBA. It has been a continuous member of the top flight of professional British club basketball, The Basketball League Limited (BBL), since that was founded in 1987. The Riders senior women’s team are founder members of the WBBL, the female equivalent of the BBL, and administered by the BBL, which was established in 2014.
Throughout their history the Riders have variously played at Loughborough University, De Montfort University, Hinckley Leisure Centre and Granby Halls. Since 2016 the club has had a dedicated, purpose-built home at the £6 million Morningside Arena in Leicester city centre. The Riders were the first club in the BBL to build and operate their own arena, additionally using the building as a premier sports and entertainment venue, as well as a hub for community sport.
Canadian born Kevin Routledge graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, with degrees in Physics and Mathematics. His career in power engineering led to recruitment by private equity Vision Capital in 2008. He is currently Chairman of two companies involving low energy living. Kevin has been involved in various roles with Leicester Riders since 1974, and has been Chairman since 1988. He was involved in setting up the professional league (BBL) in 1987, and was Chairman of the BBL from 1988 to 2002. He was also responsible for all aspects of design and construction of the Morningside Arena
Kevin is a Director of the Arena company, Trustee of the Riders charity, Leicester Riders Foundation, Director of BBL, Vice Chair of the Basketball Foundation, and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Basketball.
This public talk, which is free and open to all, takes place in the Ken Edwards Building on the University of Leicester campus on Wednesday 27 November from 5.00pm to 6.00pm. It has been organised by the University’s School of Business. Places can be booked via Eventbrite.