Bronze Club Mark Awarded - Meteors Basketball Club

Meteors Basketball Club is the latest club to be awarded the Bronze Basketball Ireland Club Mark. We caught up with Mandy Clarke, Meteors basketball club secretary to talk about the club and its award.

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

“As a committee, we decided to use this structure to review our own policies. We wanted to ensure that the Club management was held to a high standard of governance, so that our members all benefited from best practice.”

How did you find the Basketball Ireland Club Mark process?

“We found that the Club Mark application was straightforward as Basketball Ireland have a well-structured process in place. Development Officer, Paul Carr, was extremely helpful and patient.”

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

“Our club was founded in 1965 and are proud to be the oldest ladies basketball club in Ireland. For the 2021/22 season we will have our Superleague team, four senior teams in the Dublin leagues, twelve underage teams and our academy section. Our biggest highlights in most recent years are winning the U16 AICCs and gaining promotion back into SL.”

What challenges do you face in the club if any?

“There have been times when finding new volunteers year in, year out, has been really challenging. Committee members, coaches, assistants, table officials, managers. However, over our 56-year history, we have been blessed to have had fantastic volunteers who are the heart of our Club and the club could not survive without.”

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

“The Club Mark recognises the quality of the Club management and we hope it gives our members the confidence in the processes and policies.”

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?

“We will now look at achieving the Silver Club Mark Award.”

What are the goals for the season ahead?

“Our goal is to simply have all our teams back playing safely and everyone enjoying basketball again. Cups and medals might have been the goal before, but after 18 months away from the game, we want to get back to the sport that we love and missed.

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

“We would recommend for all clubs that haven’t already engage in the Club Mark Awards to get in touch with BI. It is a straight forward process that will only benefit your club and its members.”

If your club would like to apply for the Basketball Ireland Bronze Club Mark award please contact Basketball Ireland Leinster Development Officer Paul Carr at pcarr@ireland.basketball