We are thrilled to announce that Year Two of Basketball Northern Ireland’s partnership with the JrNBA is set to kick off in September 2024. This eight-week Schools Outreach Programme, in collaboration with the JrNBA, aims to bring fundamental basketball coaching to primary schools across Northern Ireland.
Basketball NI, in partnership with the NBA, Sport NI, and Basketball Ireland, is excited to deliver this grassroots development programme. This programme provides a unique opportunity for young aspiring basketball players.
After witnessing incredible growth in the first year of the programme, Basketball NI is committed to expanding into areas of Northern Ireland with limited access to basketball. We are appealing for schools in the West of the country to apply for this programme in particular.
Programme Details
We are inviting 30 primary schools from across Northern Ireland to participate in this exciting initiative. The programme will conclude with a Festival of Fun, a day dedicated to basketball activities hosted by Basketball NI and the NBA.
Each participating school will receive 12 player kits representing their drafted NBA team, which could be the Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers, or the Golden State Warriors. The JrNBA Project will commence in September/October 2024 and conclude in February 2025 with the Festival of Fun.
Target Age Group
The programme is specifically designed for Primary 7 students, with support for Primary 6 students if needed. This initiative aims to reward P7 students who show an interest in basketball after their exams.
Programme Structure
- Participants: 30 primary schools across Northern Ireland, ideally feeder schools to clubs.
- Team Size: Each school will work with 12 children per group/team. Schools may have more players, but the maximum per JrNBA team is 12 players.
- Sessions:
- 8 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
- 10-15 minute classroom/gym workshops.
- 45-50 minute skills development and playing sessions.
The programme will culminate in a Festival of Fun at the end of February/March, with travel costs covered by Basketball NI. Schools may partner with other participating schools to travel by coach.
The total cost for the eight sessions is £180, priced at £20 per hour. All schools are entitled to apply for a BNI bursary, which will cover these costs.
Participating schools can look forward to creating a legacy by entering the follow-up JrNBA Legacy League in the subsequent year.
We at Basketball Northern Ireland are excited to continue fostering the development of young basketball talent and look forward to another successful year with the JrNBA.
For more information and to apply please complete the Expression of Interest Form here. You can also directly contact Programme Coordinator Niamh Mac Manus at niamh@basketballni.com