The National Basketball Arena in Tallaght was taken over by more than 370 primary school pupils today for the first ever Irish Jr NBA festival of basketball proudly supported by DeCare Dental.
26 teams from ten different counties across the country flocked to the arena for a day of games, skills and fun, and also got to meet NBA ambassador, Ronny Turiaf, who was on hand to show them some skills and tricks on the day. The pupils also got to take part in a healthy living workshop with DeCare Dental.
Many of the schools are in their first year of playing basketball, and there was huge excitement as they got to experience the big court at the National Basketball Arena alongside their friends, classmates and teachers.
Speaking afterwards, Basketball Ireland’s Conor Meany stated: “We are thrilled to have hosted the first Irish Jr NBA at the arena today along with DeCare Dental. Seeing so many kids getting involved in basketball for the first time has been absolutely fantastic and we hope that they will go on now and link up with the clubs in their area to keep learning more about the game.
“The Jr NBA is all about fun, respect and teamwork and the 26 teams here today certainly showed just that. We were honoured to have Ronny Turiaf as our ambassador for the event, and there was great excitement for all the kids who got to meet him and chat to him. We can’t wait for next year’s event already!”
The Jr NBA is a global programme run in over 70 countries and is built on the principles of fun, teamwork and respect.
Jr. NBA Basketball Ireland League 2018
Athlone BC (Westmeath)
Coosan NS, Athlone – San Antonio Spurs
St Ciaran’s NS, Baylin – Toronto Raptors
East Cavan Eagles (Cavan)
St Mary’s NS, Virginia – Atlanta Hawks
St Killian’s NS, Mullagh – Brooklyn Nets
St Clare’s NS, Ballyjamesduff – Charlotte Hornets
Ej Sligo All Stars (Sligo)
Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf, Collooney - Utah Jazz
Naomh Eanna, Carraroe, Sligo – Washington Wizards
Killester BC (Dublin)
St Francis of Assisi, Belmayne – Philadelphia 76ers
Liffey Celtics BC (Kildare)
Tiermohan NS – OKC Thunder and New York Knicks
Limerick Celtics (Limerick)
Limerick School Project – Indiana Pacers
Limerick Educate Together – Los Angeles Clippers
Neptune BC (Cork)
Scoil Oilibhéir, Cork – Minnesota Timberwolves
Ongar Chasers (Dublin)
St Benedict’s NS, Ongar – Portland Trailblazers
Castaheany Educate Together - Phoenix Suns
Templeogue BC (Dublin)
St Colmcille’s Knocklyon, Dublin – Boston Celtics
St Dominic’s NS, Tallaght, Dublin – Sacramento Kings
Titans BC (Galway)
Scoil Iognaid, Galway – Denver Nuggets
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Galway -Detroit Pistons
Mercy Primary & Scoil Bhríde, Shantalla Galway – Golden State Warriors
Tralee Imperials (Kerry)
Scoil Eoin, Tralee – Los Angeles Lakers
St Brendan’s NS, Tralee – Memphis Grizzlies
Ulster University Elks (Belfast)
Ballyclare High School, Belfast – Chicago Bulls
Abbey Community College, Belfast - Cleveland Cavaliers
Blessed Trinity College, Belfast – Dallas Mavericks
Irish basketballer Jason Killeen speaking during the Basketball Ireland Jr NBA Festival of Basketball at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
