About the Academies

The Basketball Ireland Regional and Provincial Academy structure is the foundation of a pathway for the development of players and coaches with an ambition and potential to play at the highest levels of our sport.

It opens a development and performance pathway for more players across the country in a time when there are more National and Superleague opportunities presenting themselves country wide as well as being the pathway to the international teams.

 “More players, better players, playing for longer”.

What are the objectives of the Basketball Ireland Academies?

To identify and recruit players and coaches that demonstrate the most talent and potential for future success in their basketball careers.

Early Intervention to better prepare players for participation and success in the U16 International programmes. The Basketball Ireland Provincial Academies are the primary route for all players that wish to be considered for the U16 National Teams along with providing the skills required to play basketball at the highest level.

The role of the academies is to widen the net for potential high-level players with the attributes to play at the highest level and to expose more players to high level coaching and playing. To give opportunities to players who are still developing or who are new to the sport but show many of the attributes required to develop into a high level basketball player.

Investment in the long – term development of all players that show potential and commitment, propelling them towards success in local, regional, national and international competition.

What age groups are affected?

• The U14 Regional Academies are for players born in 2008 and 2009.
• The U15 Provincial Academies are for players born in 2007.

There are more talented athletes playing basketball than ever before and it is envisaged that this system – over the next three to five years - will produce a much larger group of international-standard players and increase competition and standard dramatically. Ireland has already shown that we can compete at all levels, but strength in depth has been an issue. Introducing international-standard concepts and skills to a wider group, at an earlier age, over a longer period will yield a stronger pool of players over time.

Basketball Ireland Academy Player Pathway

The under 14 Academy is open to any player of any nationality.

Skill development is the key objective for this age group and getting players ready for the advanced learning required for International Basketball.

The under 15 Academy is the route players that live and play in Ireland must take to be selected for the under 16 Irish International team. Players without an Irish passport can join the Academy with the approval of the EPC but requires parents to start the process of naturalisation in order to make them eligible to play for Ireland under fiba rules. For any questions on eligibility please contact the International Liaison officer Matthew Hall by email mhall@basketballireland.ie . There will be no open talent ID sessions for the under 16 international squad.

Under 16 International Teams are selected during April and May the season before the European Championships for which the squad will be taking part directly from the Academy sessions. for example, the 2021 squad is selected in April and may of 2020. The squad will be selected from the under 15 Academy class with the exception of players living and playing outside of Ireland who may be brought into the squad on trial and players that are from the under 14 age group. Exceptional circumstances will always be taken into account and judged by the EPC on a case by case basis.

U14 Regional Academies:

Based on feedback that we received over the course of last season, we have made small changes in our regions for the forthcoming season. We feel that these changes will create stronger regions and allow for more players to engage in the structure moving forward.

• South:  Cork, South Tipperary, Waterford
• North:  Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan
• East: Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Wexford
• South West: Kerry, Limerick
• North West: Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim
• Midlands: Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford, Kilkenny, Carlow, North Tipperary
• West: Clare & Galway