European Basketball Week
European Basketball Week: Celebrating Skills, Development & Community
European Basketball was celebrated across the Island of Ireland last week. Here are just a few of the fantastic highlights showcasing everything we value in sport: inclusion, learning, community, and athlete development.
Individual Skills Event at Mercy College, Sligo – Wednesday
The week began with a hugely successful Individual Skills Basketball Event at Mercy College, Sligo on Wednesday.
A special word of thanks goes to the Transition Year students from Mercy College, who volunteered their time to support the event. Their enthusiasm and leadership created a welcoming and encouraging environment for all athletes.
Participants on the day included athletes from:
- Sligo Special Olympics Club
- St. Cecilia’s School
- Globetrotter Special Olympics Club, Galway
The event was a brilliant celebration of skill, teamwork, and participation—reflecting the inclusive spirit of European Basketball Week.
You can also watch an amazing video here of another basketball collaboration between Ballyshannon Dynamos and the Sligo Special Olympics basketball team -
Basketball Table Officials Course & Grading Course – Saturday, 29th - Eastern Region
On Saturday we hosted a Basketball Table Officials Course along with a Basketball Grading Course. We even had two new athletes attend!
These training opportunities are ideal for anyone eager to get involved, expand their knowledge of the game, and help ensure that future competitions run smoothly and professionally. Building a strong base of trained officials is essential to supporting the continued growth of the sport.
Sunday 30th, final training session for our 8 week course, & Basketball Development Day - Eastern Region.
This Sunday marks an exciting milestone with our athletes completing the final leg of our 8-Week Basketball Development Programme. The programme is designed for athletes aged 16 and upward to build skills and confidence, and inspire an interest and passion for basketball into the future.
Basketball is a fantastic transitional sport, helping athletes build coordination, confidence, and teamwork as they progress toward participation in team environments. Over the coming weeks, athletes will develop key basketball skills and enjoy structured coaching that supports their growth and readiness for team play.
A huge thank you to the Palmerstown Wild Cats and to coaches Lorraine Bracken and Gemma Dooley for their support on the day. We were also joined by Templeogue Basketball Club and their inclusive team. Their head coach, Theresa Maguire Tarrant, has been incredible.
Thank you to Theresa for delivering the full eight weeks of basketball sessions and to Lorraine, Gemma and Theresa for leading a brilliant Basketball Development Day. Your kindness, leadership and passion help our athletes grow in confidence and ability every step of the way.
A Week That Highlights the Power of Basketball
European Basketball Week continues to shine a light on the importance of sport in building community, developing skills, and promoting inclusion. From Wednesday’s successful skills event to this weekend’s coaching training courses and the launch of our youth development programme, it’s a week filled with energy and meaningful opportunities.
Watch this space for more upcoming events! Special Olympics Events and Courses | Special Olympics Ireland
