Basketball Ireland has today launched the second
year of the Irish Jr. NBA League, which will tip off in September 2019, and
sees the national governing body team up with the hugely successful NBA
programme once more.
The league will follow the same format as last year,
with ten clubs being selected to partner with local schools. Clubs will be
responsible for delivering the Jr. NBA programme locally before the National
Festival of Basketball caps off the programme in December.
Looking ahead to this year’s league, Head of
Development at Basketball Ireland, Jason Killeen stated: “We are really excited
for the second year of the Jr. NBA. Last year, over 2,000 children got involved
with basketball through the participating schools and clubs, and we’ve already
seen over 100 children start their long-term journey in basketball by joining
clubs. This year, we are going to have ten new clubs and thirty new
schools, which means there are opportunities for even more children to play in
the Jr. NBA.”
As part of the league launch, Basketball Ireland is
also delighted to confirm that DeCare Dental are going to partner with the Jr.
NBA for an additional two years.
Speaking about the partnership, Commercial Manager
Conor Meany stated: “We are delighted that DeCare Dental are going to be
involved with the Jr. NBA for the next two years. DeCare’s healthy lifestyle
ethos fits well with what we are trying to achieve through basketball and we
look forward to working together and growing the league together.”
Maureen Walsh, CEO of DeCare Dental, added; “As
corporate partner, DeCare is thrilled to team up with Basketball Ireland and
the Jr. NBA on this important journey. This collaboration is a meaningful way
to support the values that sport, such as basketball, instil in kids for life.
This partnership is the start of something wonderful and we have already experienced
the teamwork, fun, overall health and quality of life benefits that this
partnership brings to life.”
Any club wishing to take part in the Jr. NBA should
contact [email protected]
expressing their interest in getting involved by Friday, May 3rd.
You can watch highlights of last year's league here:
