Former Ireland captain Jason Killeen announced as new Basketball Development Officer for Mid-West region

Former Ireland captain Jason Killeen has been appointed as the new Basketball Development Officer for the Mid-West region. Killeen led Ireland to the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries title, a first senior men’s international trophy for 27 years.

 Jason Killeen celebrates after winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries

Killeen has won four National Cups, three Super League titles, one Champions Trophy and was twice named Super League player of the year during his decorated 13-year career so far, with UL Eagles and Griffith College Templeogue. Killeen, who has also played in France, Malaysia and England, will continue his career with Limerick Sport Eagles in InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 next season.

The appointment by TUS and Basketball Ireland will see Killeen based at the TUS Moylish Campus in Limerick. Killeen was Basketball Ireland’s Head of Development between 2015 and 2019 and was most recently a Sports & Societies Officer at Griffith College.

Killeen, who will take up his position on June 1^st, said: "I am delighted with my new role as Basketball Ireland Regional Development Officer for the Mid-West. To be returning home to Limerick after so many years away is a bonus. Basketball in Limerick and the mid-west is on the rise in recent years and the potential for further growth is huge. I am looking forward to adding to this positive momentum and to be able to use my extensive experience to help further grow the sport in the region.”

“The move home will also mean a switch to my local club Limerick Sport Eagles, which I’m hugely excited about. I’ve had an amazing eight years with Griffith College Templeogue and it’s obviously a wrench to leave them, having had so much success at the club. I’d like to thank Mark Keenan, the committee and everyone in the club, who’ve been wonderful to work with and be a part of.”

 Jason Killeen won one Super League and three National Cup's with Griffith College Templeogue 

TUS Sports Recreation & Facilities Officer Adrian Flaherty welcomed Killeen to the ever-expanding TUS sport community. “We congratulate Jason on his appointment as the new Development Officer for the Mid-West area. We look forward to working with both Jason and Basketball Ireland on growing basketball within our communities in the Mid-West region,” Flaherty said.

Basketball Ireland Head of Development, Ciaran O’Sullivan, added: “We are really pleased to have recruited Jason to help us engage further with the local community in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary. Jason has been involved in the game for a long time, as a player, coach and Development Officer, his experience in facilitating Development Programmes will ensure the best results possible in the Mid-West Region.”