Fourth Annual Makenna Williams Memorial Game announced

We are delighted to announce the fourth annual Makenna Williams Memorial Game, taking place on Thursday 30th July at Copleston Sports Centre.

Those who have been part of Ipswich Basketball Club for some time will know of Makenna's tragic passing in June 2022. Our staff, players, volunteers and wider basketball community remain committed to honouring her memory through what has become one of the most special evenings in the club calendar.

Each year, the Memorial Game has brought together past and present players, coaches and supporters to celebrate Makenna's life while raising awareness of mental health and supporting the club's continued investment in wellbeing initiatives, education and the future of Ipswich Basketball.

This year's event promises to be another unforgettable occasion. We are pleased to confirm that Nick Drane and Sam Newman will serve as Head Coaches, with Esther Little assisting Drane and Ethan Price supporting Newman on the sidelines.

The game will once again showcase some of the very best talent associated with Ipswich Basketball. Fans can look forward to seeing a host of Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) stars, including Harriet Welham, Kat Goldsby, Louisa Gibbins and Chinwe Uwunze, alongside Super League Basketball (SLB) players Macey Spinks and Megan Haines.

The next generation of Ipswich talent will also be on display, with England internationals Eli Leach, Natalia Lawicka, Amelia Ariyo and Rosie Smythe all set to feature as part of an exciting roster that highlights the bright future of the club.

Club Head Coach Nick Drane said:

"The Memorial Game continues to be one of the most important events our club hosts each year. It gives us the opportunity to celebrate Makenna's life, bring our basketball family together and continue raising awareness around mental health. The support from our community has been incredible over the past four years, and we're looking forward to making this year's event another fitting tribute to Makenna while showcasing the fantastic talent that makes Ipswich Basketball so special."

The event will once again tip off at 6:30pm at Copleston Sports Centre.

Further announcements, including the full playing rosters and fundraising activities, will be made over the coming weeks, but with the quality of players already confirmed, this is shaping up to be another fantastic evening of basketball and community.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the family to collect donations towards this cause, which can be found here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/4th-annual-makenna-williams-memorial-game