NEW YORK – The Royal Foundation and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a partnership between the Foundation’s United for Wildlife and Coach Core programs and the league’s NBA Cares global social responsibility program.  The partnership will raise awareness about the importance of international wildlife conservation, develop the next generation of conservation leaders, and grow the game of basketball.  To celebrate the partnership, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend their first NBA game tomorrow when the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Barclays Center.

NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo, Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder and two-time All-Star Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks have been named United for Wildlife Ambassadors.  Joined by fellow ambassadors from the world of sports such as David Beckham, Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton and NBA Legend Yao Ming, they will support United for Wildlife’s effort, led by the Duke of Cambridge, to rally the world’s leading wildlife charities around a common goal: to create a global movement for change and to preserve nature.

Additionally, the NBA will work with the Royal Foundation’s Coach Core program, an initiative that helps young people acquire the skills, experience and confidence to join the next generation of inspirational coaches.  The NBA will support Coach Core in developing young, motivated and talented new basketball coaches through coaching experience and logistical support.  As part of this cooperation, NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony will participate in a Coach Core graduation event on Jan. 14 while in London for NBA Global Games London 2015, where the New York Knicks will play the Milwaukee Bucks at the O2.

About the Royal Foundation
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry was set up by The Princes in September 2009 to enable them to take forward their charitable ambitions. Along with The Duchess of Cambridge, who is also a Patron, they intend to use the Foundation as the main vehicle for their philanthropic activities.

Although the Foundation is not limited to these three areas of focus, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry aim to make the following their early priorities:

1)  Children and Young People – particularly those who are from disadvantaged communities or in need of help and support at a crucial time in their lives;

2)  Veterans and Military Families – promoting the welfare of those who are serving or who have served their country in the Armed Forces;

3) Conservation and Sustainable development – supporting communities to protect and conserve their natural resources for future generations.

The Royal Foundation seeks to have a catalytic effect in its programme development and grant making. The Foundation is focused on creating strong partnerships, providing seed capital and raising awareness of issues Their Royal Highnesses are passionate about.

About United for Wildlife
United for Wildlife is an unprecedented alliance between seven of the world’s most influential conservation organisations, led by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.  The partnership between Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, International Union for Conservation of Nature, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF-UK, The Zoological Society of London and The Royal Foundation will lead the way to substantially increase the global response to major conservation crises.

To find out more about United for Wildlife please go to: http://www.unitedforwildlife.org/.