Who can play in SLB?
SLB has rules around the number of National, Right to Work and Non-National players that clubs can use.
National players
A player is classed as National if they:
- Are eligible to play for Great Britain under FIBA rules, or
- Hold British citizenship.
Every club must register at least six National players each season.
Right to Work players
A Right to Work player is someone who doesn’t need a Certificate of Sponsorship from their club because they already have the right to work in the UK as a professional sportsperson.
These players can be used in the same way as National players when it comes to the matchday squad.
Non-National players
A player who doesn’t meet either of the above definitions is classed as Non-National.
How many Non-National players can a club use?
For each SLB game, a club can have a maximum of six Non-National players on the scoresheet.
There is also a limit on how many Non-National players a club can have requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship at any one time: six.
Across the whole season, a club can license a maximum of 12 different Non-National players.
So, for example, a club could release one Non-National player and replace them with another — but that new player counts towards the club’s total of 12 for the season.
What about player paperwork?
When registering a player, clubs must provide SLB with the relevant documents needed to confirm their eligibility and status. This can include:
- Passport
- Visa
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Other documentation requested by SLB
If a player’s nationality or eligibility status changes, their classification can also be reviewed during the season.
What happens if a player loses their licence?
If a player’s Competition Licence is cancelled because the club has reached its limit of six Non-National players on the scoresheet, that player becomes a free agent unless they still have a valid SLB-approved contract with the club that the club continues to honour.
Want the full details?
[Read the full SLB Operating Rules →]