See bottom of page for 2025/26 Academy player Talent Identification Sessions Information

The Basketball Ireland Academy Programme

The Basketball Ireland Regional and Provincial Academy structure is the foundation of a development pathway for players and coaches with an ambition and potential to perform 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 League 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?

U14 Regional Academies

  • To be eligible for the U14 Regional Academies, players must not turn 14 before December 31st in the year they apply.
  • To be eligible for the U15 Regional Academies, players must not turn 15 before December 31st in the year they apply. 

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

Under 14 Regional Academy

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 but there is also a large element of supporting the work being done at club and school level to help all players reach their potential.

U14 Regions

Counties

East North

Dublin North, Louth

East South

Dublin South, Wicklow

Midlands

Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford, North Tipperary, South Kildare

North

Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan

Northwest

Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, North Roscommon

South

Cork

Southeast

Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, South Tipperary

Southwest

Kerry, Limerick

West:

Clare, Galway, South Mayo, South Roscommon

Under 15 Provincial Academy

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 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@ireland.basketball. There will be no open talent ID sessions for the Under 16 international squad.

Under 16 international teams are selected during August/September the season before the FIBA U16 EuroBasket for which the squad will be taking part directly from the Academy sessions. for example, the 2025 squad is selected in August/September of 2024. The squad will be selected from the Under 15 Academy class, except for 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 considered and judged by the EPC on a case-by-case basis.


Basketball Ireland Academy | U13 Development Sessions

Next sessions TBC

Basketball Ireland Academy | U14 Girls Talent Identification Session Details

Basketball Ireland U14 Girls Regional Academy 

Talent ID Session 1 - 6/7th, September

Talent ID Session 2 -  20/21st September

Click Here to Register


Region Head Coach Venue Date Time
East North Conor Farrington  Gormanston Park Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
Gormanston Park Sat 20th Sept 1000 - 1300
East South Ger Jago Colaiste De h'ide Tallaght Sun 7th Sept 1400 - 1700
Colaiste De h'ide Tallaght Sun 21st Sept 1400 - 1700
North Stephen McArdle St Macartens, Monaghan Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
Gormanston Park Sat 20th Sept 1400 - 1700
North West  Laura Deeney  Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon Sun 7th Sept 1330 - 1630
Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon Sun 21st Sept 1330 - 1630
West Paul O'Brien  Corundulla Community Centre Sun 7th Sept 1000 - 1300
Corundulla Community Centre Sun 21st Sept 1000 - 1300
South West Kelly Ahern  Kerry Sports Academy Sun 7th Sept 1100 - 1400
Limerick Educate Together Sun 21st Sept 1200 - 1500
South Jenn Dinan Fr Mathews Arena Sun 7th Sept  1400 - 1700
Fr Mathews Arena Sun 21st Sept 1400 - 1700
South East Niall Berry Soil Ruain, Killenaule Sat 6th Sept 1330 - 1630
Soil Ruain, Killenaule Sat 20th Sept 1330 - 1630
Midlands Alyssa Velles St Mary's Portlaoise Sat 6th Sept 1100 - 1400
SHS Tullamore Sun 21st Sept 1100 - 1400

Basketball Ireland Academy | U14 Boys Talent Identification Session Details

Basketball Ireland U14 Boys Regional Academy 

Talent ID Session 1 - 6/7th, September

Talent ID Session 2 -  20/21st September

Click Here to Register


 Region Head Coach Venue Date Time
East North Gareth Winders Gormanston Park Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
Gormanston Park Sun 21st Sept 1000 - 1300
East South Shane Byrne St. Joseph of Cluny Sat 6th Sept 1730-2030
St. Joseph of Cluny Sat 20th Sept 1730-2030
North Rolandas Bartkus Gormanston Park Sat 6th Sept 1400 - 1700
Gormanston Park Sat 20th Sept 1400 - 1700
North West Laura Deeney  Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon Sun 7th Sept 1000 - 1300
Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon Sun 21st Sept 1000 - 1300
West Ciaran mcGroggan Corundulla Community Centre Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
Corundulla Community Centre Sat 20th Sept 0900 - 1200
South West Dave Barry UL Arena Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
UL Arena Sun 21st Sept 1000 - 1300
South Pat Curran MTU Cork Sat 6th Sept 1300 - 1600
Fr Matthews Arena Sat 20th Sept 1100 - 1400
South East Niall Berry Scoil Ruain, Killenaule Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
Scoil Ruain, Killenaule Sat 20th Sept 1000 - 1300
Midlands Ciaran Kiveney Our Ladies Bower Athlone Sun 7th Sept 1200 - 1500
Sacred Heart Tullamore Sat 20th Sept 1200 - 1500

Basketball Ireland Academy | U15 Girls Talent Identification Session Details

Basketball Ireland U15 Girls Provincial Academy 

Talent ID Session 1 - 6/7th, September

Talent ID Session 2 -  20/21st September

Click Here to Register


Province Head Coach Venue Date Time
Connacht Paul O'Brien  Corundulla Community Centre Sun 7th Sept 1330 - 1630
Corundulla Community Centre Sun 21st Sept 1330 - 1630
Leinster Ian Lynch Gormanston Park Sun 7th Sept 1400 - 1700
Gormanston Park Sun 21st Sept 1400 - 1700
Munster Sara Persson  Fr Mathews Arena Sat 6th Sept 1400 - 1700
Fr Mathews Arena Sat 20th Sept 1400 - 1700
Ulster Stephen McArdle St Macartens, Monaghan Sat 6th Sept 1300 - 1600
St Macartens, Monaghan Sun 21st Sept 1000 - 1300
Dublin Andrius Gerve / Elaine Scally Gormanston Park Sun 7th Sept 1000 - 1300
Gormanston Park Sun 21st Sept 1000 - 1300

Basketball Ireland Academy | U15 Boys Talent Identification Session Details

Basketball Ireland U15 Boys Provincial Academy 

Talent ID Session 1 - 6/7th, September

Talent ID Session 2 -  20/21st September

Click Here to Register


Province Head Coach Venue Date Time
Connacht Jake Tiernan Coláiste Muire Máthair Sun 7th Sept 1000 - 1300
TBC    
Leinster Sheena Moran Gormanston Park Sun 7th Sept 1400 - 1700
Gormanston Park Sun 21st Sept 1400 - 1700
Munster Paul Kelleher Neptune Stadium Sun 7th Sept 1000 - 1300
Neptune Stadium Sat 20th Sept 1630 - 1930
Ulster Brendan McCoy  Colaiste Oiriall Sat 6th Sept 1000 - 1300
Colaiste Oiriall Sat 20th Sept 1000 - 1300
Dublin Gareth O'Reilly Gormanston Park Sun 7th Sept 1000 - 1300
Gormanston Park Sat 20th Sept 1000 - 1300

Basketball Ireland | U14 & U15 Academy Selection Policy

Basketball Ireland Academy | U17 Talent Identification Session Details

Basketball Ireland is pleased to announce the U17 Open Talent Identification Sessions for players born in 2009 or later. These sessions are the first step in the selection process for the Basketball Ireland U17 International Academy, which forms part of the Basketball Ireland High Performance Pathway.


Session Details - U17 Girls:

Province Date Time Venue
Leinster & Ulster Saturday, Semptember 13th 10:00-13:30 Gormanston Park, Co. Meath
Connacht, Munster or Living outside of Ireland Saturday, September 13th 14:00-17:30

Gormanston Park, Co. Meath

Click here to Register


Session Details - U17 Boys:

Province Date Time Venue
Leinster & Ulster Sunday, Semptember 14th 10:00-13:30 Gormanston Park, Co. Meath
Connacht, Munster or Living outside of Ireland Sunday, September 14th 14:00-17:30 Gormanston Park, Co. Meath

Click here to Register


Following the Gormanston sessions, a group of selected players will be invited to a second Talent Identification Day at UL Arena.

  • Boys – Saturday 27th September 2025 
  • Girls – Sunday 28th September 2025

These invite-only follow-up sessions will help form the final U17 International Academy squads for the 2025/26 season.


 What Are the Sessions?

These Open Talent Identification (TID) sessions are designed to identify players with the potential to play International Basketball at U18 level in season 2026/27. The U17 Development International Academy is the required pathway for players living and playing in Ireland to be selected for the U18 team the following year. 


Who Can Attend? 

  • Players born in 2009
  • Irish passport holders or those eligible for one (approval required for non passportholders)
  • Must be registered with Basketball Ireland
  • Players of all positions and backgrounds are encouraged to attend

Registration

Click here to Register


Cost:

The cost of attending the Talent ID session is €25 per player, payable during the online registration process.

Boys U14/U15 Academy Coaches

Boys U14 Regional Academy

Region Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
East North Gareth Winders Andrew Brady  Alex Kiernan
East South Shane Byrne Eleanor Hosey Matt Kelly
Midlands Ciaran Kiveney Peter Mannion   
North Rolandas Bartkus John O’Brien  
Northwest Laura Deeney  Sean mcGettrick Tracey Flood
South Pat Curran Alberto Garcia  
South East Niall Berry Lar Murphy  
South West Dave Barry Thomas Walsh  
West Ciaran mcGroggan TBC  

Boys U15 Provincial Academy 

Province Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
Connacht Jake Tiernan David Hormanseder  
Dublin Gareth O'Reilly Maitiu Heckmann Murray Baker
Leinster Sheena Moran Ray Armstrong Colin Maxwell
Munster Paul Kelleher Jason Barry  
Ulster Brendan McCoy  Michael Boening Simon Kennedy

Girls U14/U15 Academy Coaches

Girls U14 Regional Academy

Region Head Coach Assistant Assistant Assistant
East North  Conor Farrington  Cathal Clancy Dave Earley  
East South  Ger Jago Dave Doran Robert Bree Linda Joyce
Midlands  Alyssa Velles Megan Dunne Ruth O Brien  
North Stephen mcArdle Stephen Mc Geough Beth Winders  
Northwest Laura Deeney  Sean mcGettrick    
South Jenn Dinan Agnieszka Lukasiewicz Sara Persson   
South East Niall Berry Johnny Gleeson     
South West Kelly Ahern  Isabelle Whelan Denise Walsh  
West Paul O'Brien  Laura Lopez Caroline Walsh  


Girls U15 Provincial Academy 

Province Head Coach Assistant Assistant
Connacht Paul O'Brien  Laura Lopez Sylvia McDonagh  
Dublin Andrius Gerve / Elaine Scally Mia McPartling     
Leinster Ian Lynch Shauna Kavanagh Kate O'Flaherty  Sam McEntee
Munster Sara Persson  Niall O'Connell    
Ulster Stephen McArdle Elena Arutyunyan Eimear Brannigan  

U14/U15 Academy Training Dates | TBC

Boys U14 Regional Academy

Day / Date Venue Time
East - North
East - South 
North
North West
West
South West
South
South East
Midlands 


Boys U15 Provincial Academy

Day / Date Venue Time
Connacht
Leinster
Munster
Ulster
Dublin


Girls U14 Regional Academy

Day / Date Venue Time
East - North
East - South 
North
North West
West
South West
South
South East
Midlands 


Girls U15 Provincial Academy

Day / Date Venue Time
Connacht
Leinster
Munster
Ulster
Dublin

U14 Regional Academy Structure

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

U17 Academy Coaches

TBC

U17 National Academy Programme Training Dates

GIRLS

Day/Date Venue Time

BOYS

Day/Date Venue Time

Basketball Ireland | Academy Calendar 2025/26

Month Academy
September 6th U14/15 Academy Talent ID day
September 7th U14/15 Academy Talent ID day
September 20th U14/15 Academy Talent ID day
September 21st U14/15 Academy Talent ID day
October 4th U14/15 Academy training
October 5th U14/15 Academy training
October 25th U13 Academy Development Sessions
October 26th U13 Academy Development Sessions
November 1st U14/15 Academy training
November 2nd U14/15 Academy training
December 6th U14/15 Academy training
December 7th U14/15 Academy training
December 28th U14 Girls Inter regional academy tournament
December 29th  U14 Boys Inter regional academy tournament
December 30th  U15 Get together Girls 10 - 13:30 - Boys 14:00 - 17:30
January 31st U14/15 Academy training
February 1st U14/15 Academy training
March 7th U14/15 Academy training
March 8th U14/15 Academy training
March 21st U14/15 academy sessions -  Girls only to avoid AICC's
March 22nd U14/15 academy sessions - Girls only to avoid AICC's
April 8th U15 Girls get together 
April 9th  U15 Boys get together
April 18th U14/15 academy sessions - Boys only to avoid AICC's
April 19th  U14/15 academy sessions - Boys only to avoid AICC's
May 9th Academy u14 /U15 Academy training session. 
May 10th Academy u14 /U15 Academy training session. 
May 16th  U15 Boys Inter Provincial Tournament 
May 23rd U15 Girls Inter Provincial Tournament 
May 30th U14 Boys academy camp/ U15 Four Nations
May 31st U14 Boys academy camp/ U15 Four Nations
June 6th U14 girls Academy camp
June 7th U14 girls Academy camp
June 13th U14 Academy training Boys and Girls
June 14th  U14 Academy training Boys and Girls
June 27th Provisional U14 Four Nations (Wales)
June 28th  Provisional U14 Four Nations (Wales)


.