Community
We aim to enhance lives by making a positive impact on the wider community. Our community-focused activities engage children and young people and inspire them to achieve their full potential in sport and in life.
What makes Essex Rebels special?
We aim to inspire children and young people to achieve their full potential, by offering a full pathway, linking sporting achievement and academic attainment. Each child’s journey has to start somewhere with a first bounce of the ball, and Essex Rebels offer a range of engagement activities that present that first opportunity to take a step on that pathway.
Basketball is the second most popular participation team sport among young people according to Sport England data, partly due to high levels of ‘street cred’ that has the sport has, and is an excellent vehicle for engaging with children and young people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.
Rebels Roadshow.
The Rebels Roadshow sees the Essex Rebels players visiting primary and secondary schools across Colchester and Tendring. Acting as role models for the children in these schools, the players deliver engaging and interactive school assembly talks, and deliver fun and exciting basketball taster sessions.
Contact our Sports Development Coordinator (community and schools), Olivia Partridge, for more information or to book a visit to your school: [email protected]
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Essex Rebels Reach.
Essex Rebels Reach links basketball engagement activities in secondary schools with higher education experience visits. Targeted at schools in wards within Essex with historically low rates of progression to higher education, this programme engages young people with basketball and arranges visits on to the campus of the University of Essex, where they can experience for themselves what life at university is like. Participants also hear from basketball scholarship students about their journeys and progression to higher education.
To find out more about the Essex Rebels Reach programme contact our Sports Development Coordinator (community and schools), Olivia Partridge: [email protected]
Essex Rebels Play
Starting from as young as 5 years old, Rebels Play sessions provide an inclusive, fun and lively introduction to children who want to try out basketball. Children are engaged in games and activities that help develop fundamental movement skills, as well as build their love of basketball. Sessions take place at the Essex Sport Arena on Saturday mornings. More details via the Essex Sport website.
Holiday camps.
Taking place during school holidays at the Essex Sport Arena, Essex Rebels holiday camps are for all aspiring basketball stars of the future.
Children learn the fundamentals of basketball, such as dribbling, shooting techniques and passing drills. Children also have the chance to meet our professional players as well as win prizes and tickets to Rebels matches.
Upcoming matches & events
BCB: Essex Rebels vs Loughborough Riders
British Championship Basketball action on a Sunday!
The Essex Rebels Men are back in action at the Essex Sport Arena as they go head-to-head with the Loughborough Riders in a thrilling British Championship Basketball showdown.
Get ready for high-energy basketball, big plays, and all the excitement of a Rebels gameday.
🎟 Tickets on sale now — don’t miss it!
BCB: Essex Rebels vs Worthing Thunder
British Championship Basketball action on a Sunday!
The Essex Rebels Men are back at #OurHouse to take on Worthing Thunder in what promises to be another action-packed British Championship Basketball clash.
Bring the energy, back your Rebels, and be part of the atmosphere at the Essex Sport Arena.
🎟 Tickets available now — secure your seats today!
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Essex Rebels Women vs B. Braun Sheffield Hatters & Essex Rebels Men vs Nottingham Hoods
Get into the Festive Spirit at the Rebels Christmas Special!
Get ready for some festive hoops fun as the Essex Rebels bring Christmas cheer to the Essex Sport Arena! The Rebels Women tip off at 4:00pm against the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters in an SLB clash, before the Rebels Men face the Nottingham Hoods at 6:30pm in BCB action.
We’re inviting all fans to show up in their ugliest Christmas jumpers — the louder, the better! Plus, don’t miss your chance to enter our Ugly Christmas Jumper Competition during the game for festive prizes!
Celebrate the season with high-energy basketball, holiday vibes, and plenty of Rebels spirit & Don’t miss out on the last home game of 2025!
🎟 Tickets are on sale now — join us for a Rebels Christmas you won’t forget!
Community news & insights
Don’t miss our next big game
Come and see fast-paced, action-packed, top-level professional basketball in a first-class venue. Match days offer family-friendly entertainment including a DJ, big screen, cheerleaders, interactive competitions, children’s activities, refreshments, and our larger-than-life mascot, Queen B.
We Are Rebels – come join the rebellion!