Basketball Ireland shortlisted in two categories at Irish Sport Industry Awards

Basketball Ireland has been shortlisted in two categories, 'National Governing Body (NGB) of the Year' and 'Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity' for our SOCIA-Ball programme at the upcoming Irish Sport Industry Awards, hosted by the Irish Federation of Sport. 

It's the third year in succession that Basketball Ireland has been nominated for 'National Governing Body of the Year' at the event, which will take place on Tuesday, 20th May at the College Green Hotel in Dublin. Previously, Basketball Ireland picked up the prize for ‘Best use of Communications Platform in Sport’ in 2023 for the rollout of BITV and the NBN23 digital scoresheet.

SOCIA-Ball participants enjoying a joke during a blitz earlier this year.  

SOCIA-Ball is a programme designed to to re-engage women and girls in our sport using a recreational, non-competitive model with a focus on fun and social outlet. It provides a non-competitive opportunity for women to engage with the sport and being physically active. The emphasis is on fun, socializing and moving in a safe environment. You can learn more about the programme and how your club can get involved here. 

Basketball Ireland's Women in Sport Lead, Louise O'Loughlin, said: "We're delighted to be shortlisted for 'Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity' for Socia-Ball. Since the programme launched in 2021 it's grown from strength-to-strength, we now have 84 clubs in 27 counties across Ireland, with expansion plans for those areas we've not reached so far. We have over 1,000 registered players actively engaged and it's a brilliant way to get women back into the sport, or to try it for the first time. The emphasis is that all are welcome, no matter their level, playing in a non-competitive environment."

Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan commented: "We're really pleased to be shortlisted for NGB of the Year once more, it demonstrates the consistent hard work that Basketball Ireland have been undertaking over the last number of years. Our registered playing population has grown 38% since 2019/20, and 6% in the last year alone and we continue to deliver engagement programmes to get more people involved in the sport, such as Socia-Ball, which I'm really happy to see also shortlisted. We've had a big year, gaining planning permission for the redevelopment of the National Basketball Arena into a multi-sport, multi-use venue, along with announcing several high-profile commercial partners - Nike, AIG and Domino's - as well as delivering good governance including a new 'Code of Conduct for All' and much more."

Nathaniel Cope, Head of Communications, Media and Digital, added: "Naturally highlighting and showcasing the significant endeavours of Basketball Ireland is of paramount importance, this is helped by entering prestigeous awards such as this. I'd to thank the Federation of Irish Sport's judging panel for shortlisting Basketball Ireland in these two categories, it is an acknowledgment of all that is being done by everyone involved in the organisation, our commercial partners, as well as the myriad of stakeholders and volunteers involved in the sport."