Clare Comets latest club to achieve BI Bronze Club Mark

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Clare Comets are the latest club to be awarded the Bronze Basketball Ireland Club Mark. We caught up with Sharon Dooley of Clare Comets basketball club to talk about the club and it's award.

Q1: What made you want to try and achieve the Basketball Ireland Club Mark?

As a club we saw the many benefits that going for the Bronze award offered us. We felt it was an opportunity for us to put key structures in place and to highlight all the great work that was going on in the club already. It also ensures that the highest standards of coaching and governance are in place for all our club members.

Q2: How did you find the Basketball Ireland Club Mark process?

We found the process very straightforward as there was detailed set criteria in place to achieve the award. Templates and information provided by Basketball Ireland were of great help, as was BI Development officer Paul Carr.

Q3: Can you tell us a bit about your club - how many teams do you have, when the club was founded and some achievements/highlights?

The club was originally founded in Clarecastle and over the years has become Clare Comets basketball club training out of St. Flannans College and Ennis National School as an Ennis based club.

The club provide training for under 10s,12s,14s,15s,16s and 18s boys and girls and has won multiple league titles across all age groups, representing County Clare in the AICCs on numerous occasions. The key objectives of the club are to provide a safe and supportive training environment for all members and most importantly to have lots of fun! The clubs also strives to create links with the community with such projects as the Christmas shoe box appeal, donations of basketballs to schools, school coaching sessions and line painting at local school basketball court. None of

this would ever happen without our dedicated committee and coaches who put in the time and effort to make our club one to be proud of.

Q4: What challenges do you face in the club if any?

In Covid times our main challenge is ensuring that all training and games are safe for everyone and that players keep playing the sport they love as much as they can. We have been very lucky to have received grant aid from BI and our local sports partnership which has helped us achieve the highest standards for all in this area.

Q5: What difference is the Basketball Ireland Club Mark going to make for your club?

The club can now move forward and grow safe in the knowledge that a strong foundation has been laid. The Club Mark award has recognised that the club is giving our athletes the necessary skills to perform successfully in basketball and life with an emphasis on sportsmanship, respect, responsibility, leadership and team work.

Q6: Do you think you will engage with the Club Mark system and achieve all the way up to Platinum Club Mark? If so, what do you need to do to get your club to this stage?

Yes, the committee have already started to look at the criteria for the Silver Award and are very keen to work on it as it shows commitment to our club and its future for many years to come.

Q7: What are the goals for the season ahead?

Our goals for the season ahead are to provide a competitive developmental club based programme that includes quality instruction in all aspects of basketball with an emphasis on fundamentals and skill development. Clare Comets will strive to enhance each athlete’s skills in an effort to better equip them for their short and long term goals.

Q8: What would you say to other clubs thinking about getting involved in the Basketball Ireland Club Mark?

We would highly recommend clubs to get involved in the Club Mark award. It does take a lot of work and time but is well worthwhile as in the end your club will be certain that you are providing the highest standards of basketball for all members.