The coaches of both Team NI under 15 programmes have selected their squads to represent Team Northern Ireland in the 2-game series against Wales on the 20th and 21st July. Both games will take place at De La Salle College in Belfast. The players have been working hard and are looking forward to the test of playing a closely matched nation.
Performance Pathway Coordinator, Andy Gill was clear in the importance of such fixtures, “Playing one of our closest neighbours is a positive step for both nations and a great experience for the squads. Nothing benefits players more than these types of games. Wales will be a stern test for us but I am sure our players will embrace the challenge”.
Head Coach of the U15 girls Andy Mulholland stated “Firstly, I am incredibly proud of the effort and dedication shown by all the participants throughout the program. It has been a tough selection process, but we have chosen a talented group of girls who have consistently demonstrated their skills and commitment. I want to congratulate the selected girls and wish them the best of luck in their upcoming games against Wales on July 20th and 21st.”
Associate Head Coach of the U15 boys Michael McCabe expressed his satisfaction with the on-going preparation. “The extended squad has been working really hard, and we are really starting to look like we have an identity which is what we have been striving towards since this time last year. With us and Wales both sharing the results in our 2 last series, Wales will be looking to come back strong, and we look forward to the challenge. I am delighted to give some new faces a well-deserved opportunity and welcome some key players back from injury. I would like to thank all the players, both current and extended squad and their families for their effort and support to date”.
Marc Mulholland, BNI Vice Chair commented on the evolution of the Team NI programme, “This is yet another great stepping stone for us in our Team NI pathway as we prepare once again to play against our neighbours in Basketball Wales. The dedication of our players, parents, staff and coaching team has shown a real focus and appetite to develop our standards at international level and this coming weekend will be a great opportunity to measure our progress. We have seen a great growth in confidence in both our girls and boys squads as they develop through the pathway. This is a brilliant chance for them to showcase their development as well as experiencing a higher standard of play against Wales who have been preparing since the U15 boy’s visited them in February of this year. We look forward to welcoming Wales to Belfast and having a great home support at the up and coming games.”
Team NI Girls Squad
| Caitylyn | Barr | Phoenix BC |
| Catriona | Blaney | Queens BC |
| Hannah | Cassin | Queens BC |
| Branagh | Connolly | Blackwater Steelers |
| Ciara | Gribben | Letterkenny Blaze |
| Katie | Guy | Queens BC |
| Niamh | McCarville | Blackwater Steelers |
| Cora | McCaughey | Blackwater Steelers |
| Amelia | Morris | UU Tigers |
| Niamh | Napier | Queens BC |
| Beatrice | Reynolds | Phoenix BC |
| Faye | Trainor | Blackwater Steelers |
Team NI Boys Squad
| Matthew | Allen | Belfast Star |
| Alan | Baranowski | Hazelwood Hawks |
| Ethan | Carr | Belfast Star |
| Liam | Carson | Belfast Phoenix |
| Finn | Dolliver | Queens BC |
| Oisin | Holman | Belfast Phoenix |
| Kyran | Houlahan | Newry |
| Dylan | Hughes | Belfast Star |
| Tyler | Mcillwaine | Hazelwood Hawks |
| Kamal | Nour | Belfast Phoenix |
| Jude | OCarroll | Belfast Star |
| Layden | O’Neill | Belfast Star |
| Kacper | Orzel | BC Wolves |
| Raimondas | Terleckis | BC Wolves |
| Matthew | Wilson | Belfast Phoenix |
We would encourage as many of our Basketball community to come out to De La Salle College Belfast on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July to support these teams who have been working extremely hard these past few months.
Saturday 20th July at De La Salle College Belfast ( 36 Edenmore Drive BT11 8LT):
Game 1 Team NI Boys V Wales – 14:15 tip off
Game 2 Team NI Girls v Wales – 16:15 tip off
Sunday 21st July at De La Salle College Belfast ( 36 Edenmore Drive BT11 8LT):
Game 1 Team NI Girls V Wales – 13:00 tip off
Game 2 Team NI Boys V Wales – 15:00 tip off