Mini basketball is set to take centre stage in Dublin once more this week, with games tipping off in Loughlinstown Leisure Centre this Wednesday, May 16^th.

Touranaments will continue throughout the month of May and on into June as a record 167 teams prepare to take part in the tournaments.

In keeping with the ethos of Primary Schools Mini-Basketball, the Dublin Board is organising a range of participation options including:

• ‘Just Play Mini-Basketball’ – where the children play with referees but scores are not kept and there are no winners. 
• Junior Tournaments for 5^th class and under.
• Senior A Tournaments for schools with two or more club players and for schools which seek a higher level of standard.
• Senior B Tournaments where schools can play no more than one club player per match.
• Mini3on3 which involves teams of 6, with 3 playing and the other 3 experiencing scoring and time-keeping duties
• Urban Hoops which is a programme specifically aimed at DEIS schools recruited by Board member Carmel Murphy and managed by the BI National Development Officer and US Scholars.

All Just Play, Junior and Senior Tournaments use the 12 player, 6 periods, 4 v 4 approach, where all children get the same court time.  Schools can also select a different combination for each match and all schools receive the same number of matches.  The children act as table officials.  Trophies are awarded to the winning and runner up teams in each Tournament.  This unique approach ensures that Primary Schools Mini-Basketball is in keeping with the ethos of the Primary Schools Curriculum and best practice in Children’s Sport.

The Tournaments are organised by the Dublin Primary Schools Mini-Basketball Board which is managed by primary teachers and is registered with Basketball Ireland. 

The Tournaments are organised in the National Basketball Arena, the Oblate Hall Inchicore, Coláiste Éanna Rathfarnham, Ballyfermot Sports and Fitness Centre, St Luke’s Tyrrellstown, Teresian School Donnybrook and the Loughlinstown Leisure Centre.

The Board particularly appreciates the support of the Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, South Dublin Sports Partnership and the Dun Laoghaire Sports Partnership in providing support to teachers preparing their teams. The support involved a visit to a participating school by a tutor who mentored the teacher(s) in preparing for a Tournament.

You can view the tournaments schedule here: Mini Basketball tournament schedule 2018.doc

The Mini-Basketball brochure, teaching videos, the Mini3on3 booklet, Rules, Scoresheet & Guidelines and a new Refereeing Video – can all be downloaded on www.primaryschoolsminibasketballireland.com

A Department of Education and Skills recognised summer course for primary teachers is being held in the Oblate Hall Inchicore July 2^nd to 6^th. Book on www.dwec.ie

For further information on the activities of the Dublin Primary Schools Mini-Basketball Board contact the Coordinator Catriona Casey on casey.catriona@gmail.com or the Chairman Noel Keating on noelkeatingwoodlawn@gmail.com