We are thrilled to announce a new Development Plan for the club, headed up by our new Head of Coaching, Paul O’Brien. Paul brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for basketball, having been an integral part of our club for many years. He has an impressive background as both a player and coach having been an Irish international underage before becoming a key player with our early Superleague sides. He also has a nice collection of national medals as a coach and is currently the head coach of the Irish U16 girls team. In addition to his new role as Head Coaching Officer, Paul will also take on the position of Men’s National League coach, taking over from John Cunningham, who as club chairman sacked himself in controversial fashion during the off-season.
Vision for Development
The new plan is an ambitious and comprehensive plan for the whole club and Paul’s extensive experience both on and off the court makes him an ideal candidate to drive it forward. It is aimed at enhancing the skills of our players and supporting our volunteer coaches and managers. Here are some key features of the plan:
Coaching Workshops
Starting in October, Paul will be conducting a number of coaching workshops throughout the year. These workshops will be held on the first Thursday of every month and will cover a range of topics to help coaches and players deepen their understanding of the game. Each session will focus on a different aspect catering to a variety of age-groups. It is hoped that this can help strengthen a unified philosophy within the club as to how we want a Maigh Cuilinn team to play from U8s up to Senior Men and Women.
Rogairí Óga Programme
The plan builds on our existing ‘Rogairí Óga’ programme for 7 to 9 year-olds. This programme is designed to introduce young players to basketball in a fun and engaging way. As part of this initiative, the club will be organizing blitzes during the season, giving our young athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills in a friendly and competitive environment.
Club Academy
One of the cornerstones of the club’s development plan is the establishment of a ‘Club Academy.’ This academy will be held every Sunday and will alternate between sessions for girls and boys. It is open to all players in the club, from under 10s to under 18s, who are keen to improve their skills and take their game to the next level. The Club Academy aims to provide an extra layer of training and support for our budding basketball stars.
Street League
Paul is introducing a Street League that will run on Sundays for players from under 10s up to under 18s. This league will offer a fun opportunity for players to experience a different style of play and develop their skills in a less formal setting than provided for in regular competition. There is also potential for a summer outdoor Street League during the off-season, providing an excellent way for players to stay active and engaged over the summer months. The Street League is also hoped to provide an opportunity to get our younger members involved with referring and doing table official duties which can be a great way to stay involved in basketball even if playing isn’t for you.
3v3 Blitzes
In addition to the Street League, Paul will be organizing several 3v3 blitzes throughout the season on Thursday evenings. These events will offer an opportunity for players to experience a fast-paced, dynamic version of the game and develop their teamwork and individual skills in a format that is quickly growing in popularity and is now an olympic sport in its own right beside the traditional 5v5 version of the game.
Coaches’ and Managers’ Handbooks
Recognising the importance of supporting our volunteer coaches and managers who give up so much of their own free time and energy for the club and sport generally, Paul will be producing helpful handbooks to guide them throughout the season. These handbooks will provide valuable insights, tips, and resources to help our volunteers effectively support our players and manage their teams.
A New Era for Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn
The club has hired head coaching officers on two previous occasions with tremendous success (Zbigniew Mardon, from Poland, in 2007 and Salva Camps, from Spain, in 2014). Both left amazing legacies and no shortage of success. With Paul now leading our development efforts, it is an exciting time for our club. His passion, expertise, and commitment to nurturing young talent will undoubtedly have a profound impact on our club and we would encourage all our players, coaches and managers to engage with Paul on the journey.