KBC compete in all CABB League & Cup Events for 21/22 Season |
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Kilrush Basketball Club(KBC) proudly competed at all age groups of the Clare Area Basketball Board (CABB) League & Cups this season and we could not be prouder as coaches and parents - cumulating in a trip to the to Gormanston Park for our U14 Girls to compete at the All Ireland Club Championships (AICC).
Its being one of the busiest season for KBC with increased players numbers, more age groups competing, world wide pandemic, facility issues, and coach shortages to deal with, but we all battled through and all enjoyed a great sporting season of basketball form U10 right up to our newly added U18 events for both Boys & Girls.
Its being one of the busiest season for KBC with increased players numbers, more age groups competing, world wide pandemic, facility issues, and coach shortages to deal with, but we all battled through and all enjoyed a great sporting season of basketball form U10 right up to our newly added U18 events for both Boys & Girls.
- U12 Girls & Boys competed in both CABB League
- U13 Girls & competed in both CABB League
- U14 Girls & Boys competed in both CABB League & Cup
- U15 Girls competed in both CABB League & Cup
- U16 Girls & Boys competed in both CABB League & Cup
- U18 Girls & Boys competed in both CABB League & Cup
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Kilrush Basketball Club Awarded
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What made you want to try and achieve the Basketball Ireland club mark?
Once we reviewed the requirements for the Basketball Ireland Club Mark we realised that it was the minimum standard of documentation that a club required. It helped us get our club in order and ready with best practices in mind. It also standardised our club in line with other clubs. It helped us meet quality standards that ensure the safeguarding of our juveniles, consider health and safety at our facilities, consider the wellbeing of our members and our commitment to developing the sport in the area.
How did you find the Basketball Ireland Club Mark process?
The Club Mark process was very straightforward once we got into it - daunting initially, but the templates provided by Basketball Ireland make it very workable. While it takes time, it will ensure your club has documentation and systems in place that is now easier to maintain. It also guarantees a club with best practices and values while complying with a national standard. Big thanks to Paul Carr at Basketball Ireland for all his help and patience in this process, he has all the answers.
Can you tell us a bit about your club?
Kilrush Basketball Club (KBC) has been on the go for many decades but saw a serious rejuvenation in 2007. It was built on the successes of great coaches. Huge credit needs to go to Mr.Joe Heneghan who was instrumental in achieving double ‘All-Ireland’ School successes in the 90s and instilling a passion for the game. While at the same time Martin Russell kept the community of Kilrush playing ball within the town. He is credited with several youth clubs' All-Ireland wins and community games successes. They both developed a true love of the game within our current-day coaches. With the forming of the Clare Area Basketball Board (CABB) in the early 2000s, Kilrush entered a girl's U14 team and managed to get to the county final that year. From then until now we have had many successes and titles. In 2017 KBC represented CABB in the AICC championships in Limerick. Last year we were very lucky to be chosen to partake in the Junior NBA programme which was greatly enjoyed by all. We now have over 200 members and train both boys and girls from 9 to 18 years. The club is a very inclusive, local and welcoming group of players and coaches, who pride themselves on participation for all. It's great to see basketball thriving again in the West Clare capital!
What challenges do you face in the club if any?
Our main challenge today (outside of Covid-19) is a full-size sports hall - our community currently only has half a court (18mx18m.) We, therefore, have to travel over 30km for the use of a full-size hall to play competitive matches. While we are grateful to have the use of the half-court, it can be an uphill struggle when you have a membership as healthy as ours and trying to prepare them to play on a full-size court on the day of a match. Retaining Players up to U18 and further on - we had hoped to run with our 1st U18 girls' team this year but due to Covid-19 it did not happen. We have had 2 teams of U12 right to U16 Girls teams since 2018 and it's a shame to see them leave the sport after all that training/coaching, Fingers crossed our new development Niall Barry will help us address this.
Player & Coach pathways - this season the introduction of our 1st 'structured' pathway for both players and hopefully coaches and again Niall Barry will be driving this for us. Retaining coaches - most are parents and as the level of basketball is getting more competitive it is difficult to retain coaches. Also, parents who are willing to give their time coaching naturally move up along with their children. Thus leaving a void every year.
What difference is the Basketball Ireland Club Mark going to make for your club?
Achieving the Basketball Ireland Club Mark is a big deal as it shows everyone our commitment to our club, to player health & safety and to inclusivity for all. It also shows that we adhere to a constitution, have insurance & policies to safeguard children in sport. Most importantly it’s a stamp of approval for our systems from a National Governing Body. It will help to give KBC the confidence to develop into a club that can plan for a future and hopefully attract some sponsorship and attention from our local council to assist in the development of a sports hall locally. It will also encourage other clubs - especially in our Clare Area - that this is an achievable aim and necessary to encourage more players to get involved in a well-run club.
Do you think you will engage with the club mark system and achieve all the way up to Platinum Club Mark? If so, what do you need to do to get your club to this stage?
This is a definite line we will be following. Having reviewed the next levels of Basketball Ireland Club Marks, it seems that the Bronze level is a great foundation. It is a pathway and the rest should be attainable with just a little extra work. Again, the Basketball Ireland templates seem to be a great help and incentive. KBC will someday reach the platinum award I’m sure but we will enjoy this award first and turn our attention to Basketball Ireland Silver Club Mark for the new season. Onwards and upwards for KBC.
What are the goals for the season ahead?
Post Covid-19
-Get back to playing in a safe and fun way
-Implement our new player pathway as we worked on with Niall Berry
-Improve our coaches and get buy-in for our development pathway
-Compete at odd ages so players from this season don't miss out...U13 & U15
-Introduce and compete in a 3x3 Tournament in the summer if restrictions allow for it.
-Retain players and get u18 girls competing
-Achieve Silver Basketball Ireland Club Mark
What would you say to other clubs thinking about getting involved in the Basketball Ireland Club Mark?
Go for it - it is the basic requirement for any club realistically to function. The templates take a lot of the work out of it.
If your club would like to apply for the Basketball Ireland Bronze Club Mark award, check out all the details here or please contact Basketball Ireland' Leinster development officer Paul Carr at pcarr@basketballireland.ie
Once we reviewed the requirements for the Basketball Ireland Club Mark we realised that it was the minimum standard of documentation that a club required. It helped us get our club in order and ready with best practices in mind. It also standardised our club in line with other clubs. It helped us meet quality standards that ensure the safeguarding of our juveniles, consider health and safety at our facilities, consider the wellbeing of our members and our commitment to developing the sport in the area.
How did you find the Basketball Ireland Club Mark process?
The Club Mark process was very straightforward once we got into it - daunting initially, but the templates provided by Basketball Ireland make it very workable. While it takes time, it will ensure your club has documentation and systems in place that is now easier to maintain. It also guarantees a club with best practices and values while complying with a national standard. Big thanks to Paul Carr at Basketball Ireland for all his help and patience in this process, he has all the answers.
Can you tell us a bit about your club?
Kilrush Basketball Club (KBC) has been on the go for many decades but saw a serious rejuvenation in 2007. It was built on the successes of great coaches. Huge credit needs to go to Mr.Joe Heneghan who was instrumental in achieving double ‘All-Ireland’ School successes in the 90s and instilling a passion for the game. While at the same time Martin Russell kept the community of Kilrush playing ball within the town. He is credited with several youth clubs' All-Ireland wins and community games successes. They both developed a true love of the game within our current-day coaches. With the forming of the Clare Area Basketball Board (CABB) in the early 2000s, Kilrush entered a girl's U14 team and managed to get to the county final that year. From then until now we have had many successes and titles. In 2017 KBC represented CABB in the AICC championships in Limerick. Last year we were very lucky to be chosen to partake in the Junior NBA programme which was greatly enjoyed by all. We now have over 200 members and train both boys and girls from 9 to 18 years. The club is a very inclusive, local and welcoming group of players and coaches, who pride themselves on participation for all. It's great to see basketball thriving again in the West Clare capital!
What challenges do you face in the club if any?
Our main challenge today (outside of Covid-19) is a full-size sports hall - our community currently only has half a court (18mx18m.) We, therefore, have to travel over 30km for the use of a full-size hall to play competitive matches. While we are grateful to have the use of the half-court, it can be an uphill struggle when you have a membership as healthy as ours and trying to prepare them to play on a full-size court on the day of a match. Retaining Players up to U18 and further on - we had hoped to run with our 1st U18 girls' team this year but due to Covid-19 it did not happen. We have had 2 teams of U12 right to U16 Girls teams since 2018 and it's a shame to see them leave the sport after all that training/coaching, Fingers crossed our new development Niall Barry will help us address this.
Player & Coach pathways - this season the introduction of our 1st 'structured' pathway for both players and hopefully coaches and again Niall Barry will be driving this for us. Retaining coaches - most are parents and as the level of basketball is getting more competitive it is difficult to retain coaches. Also, parents who are willing to give their time coaching naturally move up along with their children. Thus leaving a void every year.
What difference is the Basketball Ireland Club Mark going to make for your club?
Achieving the Basketball Ireland Club Mark is a big deal as it shows everyone our commitment to our club, to player health & safety and to inclusivity for all. It also shows that we adhere to a constitution, have insurance & policies to safeguard children in sport. Most importantly it’s a stamp of approval for our systems from a National Governing Body. It will help to give KBC the confidence to develop into a club that can plan for a future and hopefully attract some sponsorship and attention from our local council to assist in the development of a sports hall locally. It will also encourage other clubs - especially in our Clare Area - that this is an achievable aim and necessary to encourage more players to get involved in a well-run club.
Do you think you will engage with the club mark system and achieve all the way up to Platinum Club Mark? If so, what do you need to do to get your club to this stage?
This is a definite line we will be following. Having reviewed the next levels of Basketball Ireland Club Marks, it seems that the Bronze level is a great foundation. It is a pathway and the rest should be attainable with just a little extra work. Again, the Basketball Ireland templates seem to be a great help and incentive. KBC will someday reach the platinum award I’m sure but we will enjoy this award first and turn our attention to Basketball Ireland Silver Club Mark for the new season. Onwards and upwards for KBC.
What are the goals for the season ahead?
Post Covid-19
-Get back to playing in a safe and fun way
-Implement our new player pathway as we worked on with Niall Berry
-Improve our coaches and get buy-in for our development pathway
-Compete at odd ages so players from this season don't miss out...U13 & U15
-Introduce and compete in a 3x3 Tournament in the summer if restrictions allow for it.
-Retain players and get u18 girls competing
-Achieve Silver Basketball Ireland Club Mark
What would you say to other clubs thinking about getting involved in the Basketball Ireland Club Mark?
Go for it - it is the basic requirement for any club realistically to function. The templates take a lot of the work out of it.
If your club would like to apply for the Basketball Ireland Bronze Club Mark award, check out all the details here or please contact Basketball Ireland' Leinster development officer Paul Carr at pcarr@basketballireland.ie