North East Knights Head to Spain
The big day has arrived for basketball players in the North East who are travelling to Spain to represent their region at an international basketball tournament there, as part of the North East Basketball Board’s (NEBB)’s development programme.
The U16 and U18 Girls and Boys North East Knights squads will travel to the Costa Brava in Spain to participate in the EUROBASKET BASKETBALL FESTIVAL 2023 along with teams from across Europe. A total of 46 players from all twelve clubs in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Westmeath are involved in the squads.
The players will travel to the seaside town of Lloret de Mar with their teammates to take part in a week-long festival of basketball, as well as have the opportunity to experience the culture and scenery of the area. The teams will play over the course of 5 days from 3rd to 7th July, facing opposition from England, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey to name but a few.
Whilst in Lloret de Mar the teams will be accommodated in a central hotel and, in their limited free time, will have the opportunity to enjoy the range of social activities of the tournament as well as visit the beach and enjoy the sunshine.
An eight-person team of coaches, managers, and other personnel from six different clubs in Cavan, Louth, Meath, and Westmeath will be supporting the players.
The team managers and coaches are looking forward to the players and themselves experiencing basketball at European level and having the opportunity to play and watch teams from some of the strongest basketball nations in the world. The whole experience should be a significant building block for the development of basketball in the North East.
Introductory training and trials for the four teams began last December with final team selections taking place in early February. Since then, the players, along with their coaching and management teams having been meeting up for regular training sessions and challenge games. This has taken players to halls in Athboy, Carrickmacross, Dromiskin, Dunshaughlin, Mullagh, Multyfarnham and Streete, reflecting the huge geographical spread of clubs in the North East Area Basketball Board.
Last weekend players enjoyed a team building weekend in the Carrickdale Hotel outside Dundalk where they were presented with their team gear and kit bags. The day began with the players being put through their paces in some team building exercises by Kevin McElhinney from Mac’s Fitness, Virginia.
There are of course many expenses connected with a trip of this nature including team kits, kit bags, ‘walk out gear’, medical kits etc. Whilst a lot of fundraising has been undertaken by the players and their clubs the trip would not be possible without the financial support of sponsors for which the NEBB is very grateful.
The teams were delighted to be joined on the day by representatives of sponsors, MLS, Mullingar and O’Reilly Hoofcare, Virginia.
The North East Basketball Board (NEBB) is the official Area Board of the North East, as recognised by Basketball Ireland, and is responsible for the development and promotion of basketball in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath & Westmeath.
The Board runs leagues for juvenile teams from U12 up to U18 as well as senior men’s and ladies’ leagues.
The North East Knights have been working with players in the region since 2014 and travelled with squads on an annual basis up until the Covid-19 pandemic prevented any trip in 2020. Over the years teams have competed at international tournaments in Hungary, Poland, and Spain.
The North East Knights have been working with players in the region since 2014 and travelled with squads on an annual basis up until the Covid-19 pandemic prevented any trip in 2020. Over the years teams have competed at international tournaments in Hungary, Poland, and Spain.
The aim of the Knights U16 and U18 squads is to allow basketball players in the region an opportunity to experience basketball at an international level. They also allow coaches the opportunity to develop their coaching skills through working with regional teams and coaching at international tournaments. The collaboration between coaches, managers and other support personnel from different clubs has proven extremely positive.
The U14 Boys and Girls Knights development teams are currently preparing to represent the North East at a regional tournament in Longford later this summer. The Knights have also worked with U12 groups this year providing skills development sessions for players from NEBB clubs during April and May - this season saw a number of former NE Knights players involved in coaching teams themselves. The group looks forward to expanding its development programme in the future.
Most international trips have yielded some silverware with various teams winning tournament finals over the years. This year’s U16 and u18 squads have been working hard for the EuroBasket tournament, but no matter what the outcome on the court, this trip will be an experience of a lifetime for this enthusiastic squad of players and mentors. The regional squads have been a great experience for everyone so far - building basketball skills and good relationships in the North East region.
Basketball in the North East should continue to thrive into the future.
