NEBB players head to Spain with North East Knights
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.
U16 & U18 NE Knights squads at the Carrickdale Hotel prior to their trip to Eurobasket 2025 in Spain
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 2025 along with teams from across Europe. A total of 46 players from eleven clubs in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Westmeath are involved in the squads.
The players will travel with their team mates 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 six days from 29th June to 4th July, facing opposition from Spain, France, Sweden, Iceland, and Britain 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.
A nine-person team of coaches, managers, and other personnel from six clubs in Cavan, Louth, Meath, and Westmeath will be supporting the players – they are Sinéad and Jessica Byrne(Streete Warriors), Tony Ayres(Navan Cougars), Tom Smyth(Navan Cougars/Drogheda Wolves), Debbie Kelly and Damien Keogh(East Coast Cavaliers), Sally Dunne(Boyne Warriors) and Brian and Clare O’Reilly(Cavan Lakers)
NE Knights U16 & U18 Coaches & Managers
Introductory training and trials for the four teams began last September with final team selections taking place at the end of December. Since then, the players, along with their coaching and management teams have been meeting up for regular training sessions and challenge games. This has taken players to halls in Athboy, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Mullagh and Multyfarnham, reflecting the huge geographical spread of clubs in the North East Area Basketball Board. All squads have also had challenge games in preparation for the trip.
There are of course many expenses connected with taking teams to an international basketball tournament, 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 committee would like to acknowledge the financial support of O’Reilly Hoofcare in Cavan, IGWT in Monaghan and MLS, Mullingar as well as all those who have contributed financially to the venture who don’t want any public recognition.
A week before travelling the players enjoyed a team building weekend in the Carrickdale Hotel outside Dundalk where they were presented with their team gear and kit bags.
The aim of the Knights U16 and U18 squads is to allow basketball players in the region an opportunity to experience basketball on an international level. Participating in international tournaments also allows coaches the opportunity to develop their coaching skills through working with regional teams and coaching abroad. The collaboration between coaches, managers and other support personnel from different clubs has proven extremely positive.
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.
Some images from the evening team building activities at the Carrickdale:
ENDS