Minister for Sport Catherine Martin launches 2024/25 Primary Schools Mini Basketball programme

The 2024/25 Primary Schools Mini Basketball programme was officially launched by Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, at the Queen of Angels Primary School, in Sandyford, Dublin on Friday (27^th September).

As part of this year’s programme rollout, Basketball Ireland has set up a new dedicated Mini Basketball section on its Learning Management System System, ‘Helpside’.  which provides schools and teachers with excellent resources to help incorporate Mini Basketball into PE and assistance on how to implement it as an extra-curricular sport. It includes videos for teaching Mini Basketball in PE lessons and preparing children for extra-curricular leagues or tournaments, along with scoresheets, rules and an interactive chat room. A major feature of the programme is the rolling out of Mini 3x3, following the popularity of the format at the Olympics.

Download the Primary Schools Mini-Basketball Brochure

Schools or teachers wishing to find out more about Primary Schools Mini Basketball can do so by visiting Basketball Ireland’s ‘Helpside’ here.

Please note that teachers should register as a Primary School Teacher to be redirected to the bespoke landing page for the programme. 

Speaking at the event, Minister Martin said: “I’m delighted to be able to launch 2024/25 Primary Schools Mini Basketball programme. Sport is at the core of Irish life and it’s wonderful to witness these primary school children participating in Mini Basketball, which is a great introduction to the game. Basketball has grown hugely in Ireland over the last number of years and it’s testament to programmes like this being implemented by Basketball Ireland. I am very impressed that the Primary Schools Mini Basketball programme emphasises learning, playing and enjoyment, over winning, and that the values and activities are closely aligned with the Government’s National Sports Policy and the new NCCA Primary Curriculum Framework."

Mini Basketball was introduced into Primary Schools in Ireland in 1972 and is the most popular activity within the PE curriculum, according to Sport Ireland research. It’s also estimated that over 600 primary schools are now engaged with extra-curricular basketball. The new programme, led by former Irish captain Jason Killeen, aims to expand that number further, with the help of Basketball Ireland’s Development Officers and Local Area Boards, located island-wide. 

Killeen stated: “Basketball Ireland has been working alongside the Primary Schools Mini Basketball National Committee (PSMBNC) and we’re thrilled to finally get the 2024/25 Primary Schools Mini Basketball programme up and running. The enthusiasm from the children playing here at Queen of Angels Primary School today was infectious. It’s a hugely exciting time to be involved in Irish basketball and this programme will be a key element in our overall strategy for growth and engagement.”

Basketball Ireland chairperson, Prof. Seamas Donnelly, added: “79% of Primary Schools in Ireland have basketball courts and Mini Basketball is a great way to get children involved in the sport and most importantly in physical activity. I’d like thank Minister Martin for being here for the launch of 2024/25 Primary Schools Mini Basketball programme. Basketball Ireland is pleased to showcase our new dedicated section our LMS ‘Helpside’, which provides schools and teachers with excellent resources to help incorporate Mini Basketball into PE and assistance on how to implement it as an extra-curricular sport.”

A reminder that schools or teachers wishing to find out more about Primary Schools Mini Basketball can do so by visiting Basketball Ireland’s ‘Helpside’ here.

Please note that teachers should register as a Primary School Teacher to be redirected to the bespoke landing page for the programme.