Inaugural fixtures to take place in Basketball Ireland Development League this weekend

This inaugural round of fixtures take place in the Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) this weekend, marking the first step towards a three tier National League for the 2025/26 season.

The Basketball Ireland Development League will run for the next two seasons, comprising of 16 men’s and 13 women’s teams from 13 counties, with a view towards preparing participating clubs for National League entry, as well as serving as a development tool. Professional players won’t be eligible to take part, driving a focus towards meaningful, competitive minutes for young Irish players. Current Super League and National League clubs can enter their local league team in the competition, with all scores to be available live on the Swish All Hoops app in line with the ongoing National League. 

The venture is part of the National Leagues Committee’s (NLC) roadmap which will see a 12 team Super League, Division One and Division Two in place across the National League for the 2025/26 season. In order to get to that point, new teams will be required and the current Super League, while Division One will need to be trimmed back to 12 teams. Basketball Ireland’s Development League will be central to that restructuring process, as the best organised and prepared clubs will be offered the chance to enter the National League Division Two in 2025.

The men’s league will be split into two, 8 team conferences. Each team will play the other teams in their conference once, with the top two teams from each conference progressing to the semi-finals, culminating with the final which will take place during National League Finals weekend in April 2024. The women’s league is split into a 6 team and a 7 team conference and will follow the same format as the men’s league. 

Every game from the Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) can be followed live on the Swish All Hoops app, simply search for 'BIDL Women' and 'BIDL Men' in the app. The Swish All Hoops app can be downloaded from your app store.

“The creation of the Basketball Ireland Development League shows the growth which basketball is undergoing in different areas throughout Ireland that have never experienced National League basketball in their locality,” said National League Manager John Walsh. “They are now one step closer to seeing high level basketball closer to home on a weekly basis.”

Participating Teams

Men:

Tipp Talons, Fr. Mathews, Clare Comets, Clare Cascaders, Tralee Warriors, Limerick Sport Eagles, Portlaoise Panthers, St Mary’s Castleisland, Mayo Meteors, Athlone, Merry Monk Ballina, Ongar Chasers, Phoenix Wolves, Tolka Rovers, Carrick Cruisers, Dublin Raiders.

Women:

Tipperary Knights, St Mary’s Castleisland, Glanmire, Fr. Mathews, Tralee Magic, Cobh, Brunell, Meteors, Liffey Celtics, Ongar Chasers, Portlaoise Panthers, Claregalway, Dublin Raiders.