British Basketball originally had their entire funding axed by UK Sport for the four-year cycle leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympics but following a successful appeal, they will receive £7,039,840 ($10,721,676/€8,254,082) on a one-year conditional basis with the full amount allocated only being released if basketball meets performance criteria.

Jennings takes over the post from Tom Maher, who quit earlier this year following a disappointing showing at the London 2012 Olympics where the Team GB women's basketball side lost all five of their matches.

Jennings worked alongside Maher as part of the coaching team in the lead up to London 2012 while he has been involved with GB basketball since its inception in 2006 where he has previously worked with the under-20 women's programme and the World University Games team.

His first major target on the road to Rio 2016 will be leading the team to EuroBasket 2013 in France this summer.

"Having been part of the coaching team since 2006, I'm honoured to have been given the chance to lead British Basketball's women's programme into EuroBasket 2013," said Jennings.

"After convincing UK Sport that basketball was worthy of investment, we have a tough challenge ahead but it's one I know both staff and players will thrive on.

"We want to deliver the best performances possible at the upcoming EuroBasket in France."


Jennings will be assisted by Ken Shields and Vanessa Ellis and supported by team manager Lucy Power.

British Basketball's head of performance Warwick Cann revealed that the announcement has been delayed due to the UK Sport funding issue but that he is confident Jennings and his team will get off to a fast start.

"The funding debate has impacted on the timing for finalising the coaching team but I'm glad that we can now move forward with our task," said Cann.

"British Basketball is pleased that we have such an excellent staff team in place, which will hit the ground running for our May start."

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