BNI Host Level One Coaching Award In Belfast

Over the weekend of the 14^th and 15^th of September 21 Basketball Northern Ireland coaches participated in a Level One Coaching Award at De La Salle College, Belfast. The award was subsidised with a grant from Sport Northern Ireland and was a great opportunity for a group of motivated coaches to come together and enhance their learning under the tutelage of Andy Gill, Basketball Ireland coach tutor and BNI Performance Pathway lead.

Over two days participants were given opportunities to explore the coaching process and some of the theoretical underpinnings of delivering meaningful sessions to our basketball players. On-floor activities covered the principles of play and the fundamentals of both individual and team play. The coaches all had the opportunity to coach a short session under the watchful eye of Andy and fellow Basketball Ireland tutor and head coach of the BNI senior women 3X3, Patrick O’Neill.

Coupled with 28 Intro coaches Basketball Northern Ireland has now supported 49 coaches in their development.

Andy Gill stated, “Coaches are the lifeblood of basketball and its development. I commend all the coaches who gave up their weekend and were so open to the ideas we explored. There were coaches who still play, and all were at different stages of their journey. What is so important is the openness to learn and continue to do so. Well done to all.”

Coaches who took part:

Aaron Maguire-Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School

Bradley Ogilby-Larne YMCA

Barry Gillan-Ballymena BC

Sarah-Louise Glennon-Kildare Town Educate Together NS

Michael Donnelly-Belfast Star

Luke Donnelly-Belfast Star

Ciaran Lockhart-North Star

Evan Mcloughlin-Letterkenny Blaze

Mairead Clarke-Dynamites Basketball Club

Ewan McGrattan-Belfast Star

Jayden Elliott Larne -YMCA