Development

Dec 04 2025

Latest Basketball Ireland U13 development sessions details confirmed

We are excited to invite clubs to nominate their most talented U13 players born in 2013 and advance talented players born in 2014 to participate in the second sessions of our Basketball Ireland U13 pilot programme of academy development sessions.

These sessions are designed to:

Foster skill development in a focused and positive environment.
Bring together the best players in the region to learn and compete.
Serve as an introduction to the Basketball Ireland Academies.

Each club is encouraged to nominate a maximum of three boys and three girls who they believe would thrive in this programme and who are available to attend the third session which will take place during the Easter break.

Please only put forward players who will benefit from this high level of coaching - you do not have to send three players.

Action Required - Clubs must complete the registration form, including the names and DOB’s of the players they are nominating.

Key Details:

These sessions are not open to players already on the U14 Academy during season 2025/26
Head Coaches – All the head coaches of these sessions are current or former International team head coaches.
Eligibility: Players born in 2013, or advanced talented players born in 2014. Preference should be given to players born in 2013.
Cost: €5/£5 per player (payable in cash on the day).
There will be five regions running sessions across the country. They will be separate sessions for boys and girls. Clubs should select the location that geographically suits them best.
If a session is oversubscribed, Basketball Ireland may request some players to attend a different location than the one initially selected.

All Regions, Times and Coaches are listed below. All of the dates and venues will be updated on the Academy page of the Basketball Ireland website and details will be sent by email to the club member that registers their players.

We look forward to seeing the region’s top young talent come together for this exciting initiative.

CLICK TO VIEW BASKETBALL IRELAND ACADEMY PAGE

Coaches and parents should be aware of the following before registering:

All players must have an active BIPIN.
Please ensure the players are available for the sessions before submitting their names.
The Deadline for registration is Monday, December 15th.
· What players need to bring- A ball with their name on (if they have one), Drinks, Small snack, €5/£5 registration fee.

Basketball Ireland U13 Development Session Regions, Dates and Times

Region - South East/Midlands

Date - Saturday December 27th,

Head Coach - Niall Berry, Ireland U18 Men's National Team Coach, Current Academy Coach

Venue - Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, Tipperary, E41 XY95

Girls Times - U13 Girls @ 10:00am-1:00pm

Boys Times - U13 Boys @ 1:30pm-4:30pm

Region – West

Date - Friday January 2nd,

Head Coach - David Horman of Valencia Basketball, & Galways Titans

Venue - NUIG Kingfisher, Galway, University of Galway, Newcastle Road, Galway, H91 X53V

Girls Times - U13 Girls @ 10:00am-1:00pm

Boys Times - U13 Boys @ 1:30pm-4:30pm

Region - East

Date - Saturday December 27th,

Head Coach - Paul Kelleher, Former U16M & U18M National Team Coach, 3x3 Uderage Head Coach w/ Senior Men & Women Head Coach, Current Academy Coach & Senior Men's National Team Assistant Coach

Venue - Kings Hospital, Old Lucan Road, Palmerston, Dublin, D20 V256

Girls Times - U13 Girls @ 10:00am-1:00pm

Boys Times - U13 Boys @ 1:30pm-4:30pm

Region - North

Date - Sunday December 28th,

Head Coach - Andy Gill, Former U16W & U18W National Team Head Coach, Current U18W Assistant Coach

VENUE - De La Salle College, 36 Edenmore Drive, Belfast, BT11 8LT

Boys Times - U13 Boys @ 10am-1:00pm

Girls Times - U13 Girls @ 2pm-5pm

Region - South/South West

Date - Sunday December 28th,

Head Coach - Paul Kelleher, Former U16M & U18M National Team Coach, 3x3 Uderage Head Coach w/ Senior Men & Women Head Coach, Current Academy Coach & Senior Men's National Team Assistant Coach

Venue – Neptune Stadium Cork, 95 Gerald Griffin St, Blackpool, Cork, T23 HK30

Girls Times - U13 Girls @ 10:00am-1:00pm

Boys Times - U13 Boys @ 1:30pm-4:30pm

Important information about registration process

Registration is by a club representative only but this can be the coach of the team if you wish. There is a limit of 3 players per club for boys and 3 players per club for the girls. Clubs are welcome to send 3 different players from the first and/or second session if they wish or stick with the same players. If you require anything, please contact Paul Kelleher on cptk24@gmail.com

Club Coach Development Registration

As part of this program we will continue to be inviting any of your club coaches to attend and help out at the sessions but attendance is by pre registration only. Coaches will receive CPD points towards the renewal of their coaching licence but must pre-register to attend via this link - Coaches Registration Here

As per the last year, all sessions will be led by current and former International head coaches so we hope it will provide an excellent opportunity for club coaches to learn new drills, share ideas and develop their coaching skills.

Coaches who attended the last session will have received the session plan, and video on their HELPSIDE for their own use afterwards as part of the CPD process on the new system. All coaches are now back to zero points.

Coaches are aware this is being updated at present, please contact Paul Kelleher on cptk24@gmail.com for any other issues.