Staff

Here are some photos and information about the staff who operate at the Amaechi Basketball Centre.

Joe Forber

The Amaechi Basketball Centre was Joe’s brainchild and, as Director, he works full-time to ensure its success and growth.

Joe has been coaching Basketball for 30 years, starting at Wilmslow Grammar School, with whom he won many National trophies. Then, he moved into Junior National League Basketball in charge of the Under 19 programmes at Manchester United, Manchester Giants and Chester Jets.

He has produced 10 full International players, including the legendary John Amaechi, who has played in Greece, Italy and Spain,and also in the NBA for Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.

Joe started this Club in 1997 and it has made amazing progress, with 12 National League teams, its own full-time Basketball Centre and over 2000 youngsters playing each week. His wife, Maggie, is also a key figure in the club.

Maggie Forber

Joe’s wife and helper. Over many years she has made herself indispensable in the running of the Club and now plays a key part in the administration of the Club and the Centre. Maggie has retired from teaching Mathematics after 38 years. In this time she has taught at two schools - Wilmslow High School, and Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College, Northwich. She runs the financial side of things and also takes a keen interest in the progress and careers of the players.

She is also a Table Official and has many years of experience of scoring and timekeeping at BBL level. She puts this experience at the disposal of the Centre, officiating at the table for Club games most weekends, and has helped many members of the Club to gain their National Table Officiating Awards.

Without her knowledge, hard work and ability and her encouragement and tolerance, it is unlikely Joe would have ever got the Centre into existence.

Jeff Jones

Jeff came from College Basketball in Oklahoma in the USA over 20 years ago to play for Manchester Giants and spent most of his playing time with them and Manchester United. Once he married Freda, he was eligible to play for England and did so on many occasions.

When his playing days were over, he became a coach in the BBL League with the Giants and then Derby Storm.

He is now very much involved with the Club, coaching the EBL Division 1 Manchester Magic team and running many of the Club's coaching sessions. All three of his children are top-class players.

An extremely valuable asset to the club, with his tremendous expertise in developing young Basketball players, he is indispensable.

Graham Williams

An ex - British Colleges player, Graham started his Basketball career as a player at Burnage High School in Manchester. When he returned to Burnage as a teacher, he coached the boys to numerous successes including two National Schools Championships and had many outstanding teams and individuals.

Graham was a founder member of the Club, along with Joe and Maggie, giving enormous amounts of his time to all parts of the programme. He has so enjoyed his basketball with us that he decided to take up the offer of a full-time position, which began in January 2000. His basketball knowledge and experience has been of great benefit to all the youngsters over the years. Graham retires in Summer 2004 and will be impossible to replace. All at the Club wish him well for the future.

Sergio Lara-Bercial

Sergio came to us from Madrid (via Liverpool) in September 2001 and soon showed his vast knowledge of basketball. Also a qualified physiotherapist, he has made a major contribution to the Club since he joined us and we welcome his decision to stay in Manchester, rather than returning to sunny Spain. He currently is responsible for all aspects of the Girls' programmes.

Tony Middleton

Tony first became attracted to us by acting as Team Manager for the National League teams in which his son, Paul, played. He so enjoyed this time in basketball that, when the opportunity came to change careers, he did so with relish. He joined us as a part-time administrator in May 2004.

Brian Dobson

An ex-policeman, Brian has always been a basketball lover and, over many years, has done coaching and administration work with Manchester Giants, Derby Storm (both BBL) and now, the Magic. His vast experience and wise head are invaluable to the Club and we hope he will be with us for many years to come.