In preparation for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, Basketball NI proudly hosted the TEAM NI 3×3 Senior Celtic Invitational 2025 on May 30th, 2025. The event brought elite 3×3 teams from across UK and Europe to Jordanstown for a weekend of high-level competition and collaboration.
Basketball Northern Ireland welcomed top-tier teams from Basketball Ireland, Basketball Wales, Great Britain Basketball, and the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, with both men’s and women’s squads competing. Over three days, teams showcased elite-level talent and built meaningful international connections through competitive play and joint training sessions.
Andy Gill, Performance Pathway Coordinator commented, “The BNI 3X3 Senior Celtic Invitational Weekend was a really positive event for Team NI and the teams involved. GB women, Lithuania women and Ireland men all went on to qualify to the Euro cup finals at events held the weekend after. Team NI men have received an invitation to a high-level event in London in July and our female squad depth was significantly improved with the experience gained. The support of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Federation was vital to the event success. This was a showcase event and one we would love to host again.”
A special highlight of the weekend was the presence of Iona Cojocaru, a highly respected Netherlands-based FIBA 3×3 referee. Iona provided expert mentorship to local referees, delivering invaluable insights and elevating the officiating standard of the tournament.
Marc Mulholland, Vice Chair of BNI said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Federation and Sport NI for their continued and vital support in making the 3×3 Senior Celtic Invitational a reality. Their backing has not only enabled this high-performance event but also created and environment for valuable opportunities for our players, coaches, officials, and wider basketball workforce to grow, learn and thrive as we continue to grow and develop opportunities for People Development . Events like this are a catalyst for development, and their impact will be felt well beyond the weekend. Thanks also to all of the BNI staff, officials, referees, coaches, support staff , fans of the game and of course the players who made every effort to make this event possible . We also appreciate and thank all of travelling nations who came to the Belfast helping make this event one to remember.”
All games were recorded through BNI’s partnership with SportsVisio, whose AI-powered technology transforms raw footage into detailed player statistics and highlight reels. This innovative approach ensures that athletes have the tools to analyse and improve their performance.
Sean O’Connor, Chief Revenue Officer of Sportsvisio commented, “We’re thrilled to be part of the Celtic Invitational and to support the growing 3×3 movement across the island. This format is fast, dynamic, and entertaining. At SportsVisio, we’re committed to giving every player access to the stats and highlights that fuel improvement and amplify their impact — whether they’re chasing medals or just playing for the love of the game.”
Avonmore Protein Milk also lent their support, keeping athletes fuelled throughout the tournament with a range of delicious protein milk flavours—providing the perfect recovery option after intense back-to-back games.
Basketball NI extends heartfelt thanks to all visiting teams, players, coaches, referees, table officials, volunteers, supporters, and partners. Together, they helped establish a powerful platform for growth in elite-level 3×3 basketball in Northern Ireland.