THERE was big excitement in NUIG Galway this morning as schools from across the county took part in the official launch of the Basketball Ireland Green Shoots Player Pathway programme.
The programme, which is aimed at 10 to 12 year olds, was officially launched this morning by CEO and Secretary General of Basketball Ireland, Bernard O’Byrne and Head of Development Jason Killeen, and marks an exciting new programme for the grass roots of the sport in Ireland.
Speaking about the initiative, Jason Killeen stated: “We are delighted to be down here in Galway this morning to launch Stage 1 of the Green Shoots Player Pathway. This pathway is the beginning of an exciting stage of development of basketball in Ireland and, with our new Green Shoots coaching manual, ensures that players across the country – regardless of location – will be on equal footing when it comes to developing their game and learning about the sport from foundation level.
“This is the first step of a programme which will be rolled out across the older age groups in the years to come, with each age group getting a specific coaching manual that is targeted at that specific demographic. It is hoped that laying these foundations now will ensure that even more talent and skill is developed here in Ireland and that stars of the future will be moulded.”
Gráinne Molloy, Shane Forde and Ciara Gannon of Crumlin NS pictured at the Basketball Ireland Green Shoots Player Pathway launch.
Pearl Campbell (Bushy Park NS) and Alenah Kehane (Lisheenkyle NS) pictured at the Basketball Ireland Green Shoots Player Pathway launch
