New attraction at Barnet Playing Fields: a fusion of abstract art and a sport for a refurbished basketball court

Greater London’s first 3×3 basketball court – with a vibrant blue playing surface — has been opened at Barnet Playing Fields off Barnet Lane, Underhill.

3×3 basketball – for six players instead of the usual ten – is growing in popularity.

The refurbished, fully accessible court has been installed by Barnet Council with the help of England Basketball.

Designer Martin Dyan (above right), founder of Rise 3×3 Basketball, and North London artist Darren John, who specialises in large-scale public murals, attended the official opening of the court.

Sited next to the children’s playground, the vivid blue surface of the court immediately attracted the attention of passersby, and especially local youngsters anxious to start playing.

Keen to try it out were Yugi Koiz (left above) and Isaiah Saiona who both said it was a real fun.

Isaiah, who is now 15, has been playing basketball since he was 11. “The court that used to be here was rubbish, so it’s great to have this new court so close to where I live.”

Darren John, whose London mural team is based at Absolutely Studio, said blue had been chosen because it was the most vibrant colour, kept its appearance, and lasted longer for a playing surface.

A previous sport-related commission for Darren was to paint the skateboard area for the Paris Olympic Games. He believes the fusing of art with sport increases can help increase participation.

“Abstract art works well in a sporting or public setting because it has a wider appeal than a particular theme and tends to attract more visitors.”  

Martin Dyan said that 3×3 basketball had been growing in popularity because six could play on a court half the usual size.

After running a 3×3 charity event in 2017 he realised the potential for the sport because it was so accessible and so easy to play.

His consultancy, launched last year, advised Barnet Council on the best way to refurbish the existing court at the playing fields and bring it up to Olympic standards.

It has been resurfaced with fresh asphalt and a new hoop system installed with a backboard made from reinforced acrylic and a new flexible net.

The importance of the vividly painted surface was that it showed the court was being taken care off – and added a splash of colour to Barnet Playing Fields.

Underhill war councillor Zahra Beg praised what she said was a wonderful addition to the playing fields.  

After the launch of the new 3×3 court, Councillor Anne Clarke, Barnet Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure, arts and sports, said the borough had a great tradition of supporting Olympic athletes and she was proud the council was helping to provide opportunities for the growth of a new Olympic sport.

3×3 basket ball is a variation of basket ball played three-a-side, but with one backboard and in a half-court but with specific lines and measurements — as seen in this photograph of the new court from Barnet Council.

“3×3 basket ball is a game that has been played on full courts for decades,” said Councillor Clarke.

“It began to take shape as its own sport from the early 2000s and has been an Olympic sport since 2020 and a Commonwealth Games sport since 2022, where England’s men’s team won a gold medal and the women’s team won silver.”