Invitation to Participate in Under 13 Pilot Academy Development Sessions for boys and girls.
Basketball Ireland have sent all clubs in Ireland information about the new U13 academy being rolled out in January 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for players born in 2012 and 2013 to be experience an introduction to the national basketball academies that are run at U14, U15 and U17 level. There are also opportunities for coaches to work with international coaches and receive CPD points. All relevant information and links are enclosed.
Andy Gill, Performance Pathway Lead for Basketball Northern Ireland and current Head Coach of the Ireland women U17 academy is leading the North cohort and is looking forward to the sessions. He said “These sessions, whereby every club can nominate up to 3 players for each gender, will be a great opportunity for players and coaches to work in a skill development environment. Individual skill development and generic game principles are keys at this age and lay the foundations for producing better players.”
Basketball Ireland are excited to invite clubs to nominate their most talented players born in 2012 and advance talented players born in 2013 to participate in a pilot program 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 3 girls who they believe would thrive in this program and who are available to attend the first sessions which will take place on January 2nd or 3rd 2025. Please only put forward players who will benefit from this high level of coaching, you do not have to send 3 players.
Key Details:
- These sessions are not open to players already on the u14 Academy during season 2024/25
- Head Coaches – All the head coaches of these sessions are current or former International team head coaches.
- Eligibility: Players born in 2012, or advanced talented players born in 2013. Preference should be given to players born in 2012.
- Cost: €5/£5 per player (payable in cash on the day).
- Number of Sessions: We will be running 3 sessions throughout the year, in January, February and April. Each Months sessions will have a separate sign up so the same players do not have to attend all 3 sessions. There will be five regions running sessions across the country for each of these months and they will be separatele sessions for boys and girls. Clubs should select the location that geographically suits them best.
- Over-Subscription Notice: If a session is oversubscribed, Basketball Ireland may request some players to attend a different location than the one initially selected.
- Action Required: Clubs must complete the registration form, including the names and DOB’s of the players they are nominating.
- All players must have an active BIPIN.
- Important: Please ensure the players are available for the sessions before submitting their names.
- The Deadline for registration is Thursday 19th of December.
- What players need to bring– A ball with their name on (if they have one), Drinks, Small snack, €5 registration fee.
NOTE – Times and Coaches are listed below. For any venue listed as TBC 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. Click to view academy page of the Basketball Ireland website
1st session dates and head coach
Region – North
Date – January 2nd,
Head Coach – Andy Gill
VENUE – Foyle Arena, 2 Limavady Rd, Derry, BT476JY
Girls Times – U13 Girls @ 2:30pm-5:30pm
Boys Times – U13 Boys @ 11:00am-2:00pm
Girls Link for Registration to be completed by club representative – Click to register Girls
Boys Link for Registration to be completed by club representative – Click to register Boys
As part of this program we will also 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 preregister to attend via this link – https://camp2015.wufoo.com/forms/mpazn451plkwus/