It is important for young performers to have an opportunity to make the most of their abilities and potentials. The academy programme provides clubs with an outlet for their talented players. Basketball NI has a responsibility for talent identification and performance development in partnership with local clubs.
Basketball NI is in the unique position that it can, through its affiliation to Basketball Ireland, have players participate in international FIBA age-group competitions and also participate in high performance opportunities provided by ‘home-countries’ and Commonwealth structures. The Team NI supports high performance development and aims to maximise the opportunities for both boys and girls to participate in high performance competition.
It should also be noted that the Basketball NI Team NI still exists as being unique within Basketball Ireland’s governance. No other region currently operates in this manners as Northern Ireland is a country and continues to caters for a diverse community in Northern Ireland.