Welcome to Killester Special Olympics Basketball Programme
Killester Special Olympics Basketball programme was set up in 2003, following the World Games in Dublin. It has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with now over 50 athletes attending team training and skills level.
Killester Special Olympics Basketball Programme is an integral part of Killester Basketball Club
Killester Special Olympics Basketball Programme is an integral part of Killester Basketball Club
Christmas Party Report
Friday 13th December, 2024
Last Friday night was Party Night! We had our annual Christmas Party and, once again, we a great attendance of athletes, Volunteers and Coaches which made it all the better. Also, 10 Super League players from both the Women's and Men’s teams came along which added to the excitement and anticipation of the athletes.
Then the serious part of the night began when various teams were put together from the Skills players right up through the C Team, Ladies Team, B Team and A Team players faced-off against the Super league players. There were some vigorously contested matches with some great baskets scored by our Special Olympic players. It was exciting and great fun to watch!
As if all that was not enough, Santa Claus arrived, taking time out of his busy schedule to hand out gifts to all the athletes. It was a wonderful night and, after a group photo with all the basketball players, everyone went happily home!
Many thanks to the Committee for organising the Christmas Party, to the Coaches and Volunteers who ran it, to the Super League players who made the time to come and be a part of the night and to Santa Claus for taking the time to be part of the night too.
Then the serious part of the night began when various teams were put together from the Skills players right up through the C Team, Ladies Team, B Team and A Team players faced-off against the Super league players. There were some vigorously contested matches with some great baskets scored by our Special Olympic players. It was exciting and great fun to watch!
As if all that was not enough, Santa Claus arrived, taking time out of his busy schedule to hand out gifts to all the athletes. It was a wonderful night and, after a group photo with all the basketball players, everyone went happily home!
Many thanks to the Committee for organising the Christmas Party, to the Coaches and Volunteers who ran it, to the Super League players who made the time to come and be a part of the night and to Santa Claus for taking the time to be part of the night too.
Christmas Party
Friday, 13th December
7.30-8.45pm
This years Christmas Party will be on Friday, 13th December starting at 7.30pm until 8.45pm, a date for your diaries after all your hard work since September.
We hope to see all athletes, volunteers and coaches at it to share the fun!
This will be the last basketball night of this year. We hope to see you all back on Friday, 10th January after having a good rest and a great holiday, ready to go again.
Happy Christmas to everyone and looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
We hope to see all athletes, volunteers and coaches at it to share the fun!
This will be the last basketball night of this year. We hope to see you all back on Friday, 10th January after having a good rest and a great holiday, ready to go again.
Happy Christmas to everyone and looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
Killester Special Olympics Men's A team V Killester Under-16 Team
Friday 8th December, 2024
Last Friday night the Special Olympics Men's A team played a match with Killester Basketball Under-16 team. It was a no-holes-barred game against a well-matched team and played at a fast pace throughout.
The scoring was fast and immediate and by the end of the first quarter our Men's A team were in the lead. The match continued right to the end at a blistering pace with baskets at both ends and, at half-time, our Men's A team were only a point behind.
The Killester Under-16 team pulled away in the third quarter despite a hard-fought battle by the A team and, in the fourth quarter, our A Team never gave up and fought to the end and there was very little in it.
Thanks to both teams for a very exciting and entertaining match to watch with a few spectacular three-pointers by both teams thrown-in and some very tired players at the final whistle!
The scoring was fast and immediate and by the end of the first quarter our Men's A team were in the lead. The match continued right to the end at a blistering pace with baskets at both ends and, at half-time, our Men's A team were only a point behind.
The Killester Under-16 team pulled away in the third quarter despite a hard-fought battle by the A team and, in the fourth quarter, our A Team never gave up and fought to the end and there was very little in it.
Thanks to both teams for a very exciting and entertaining match to watch with a few spectacular three-pointers by both teams thrown-in and some very tired players at the final whistle!
|
|
|
|
Killester Men's B Team V Sports Club 15
Friday 15th November, 2024
Also
Killester Men's C Team V Leixlip
Friday 22nd November, 2024
|
|
First matches of the season
Mid November saw the first two league matches of the season, both played at
home in Bayside and both matches played in an excellent spirit and at a good
pace.
On 15th November, the Mens B team played Sports Club 15 B.
Killester got away to a fast start and soon led by 10 points. They were strong on defence and passing well. The scoring was well spread around the team.
SC15 came back into it in the third quarter with a few nice baskets, but Killester steadied the ship and pulled away again in the final quarter.
The final score was 33-13 to Killester.
On 22nd November, the Mens C team opened their season against Leixlip.
Killester started slowly, with quite a few shots not quite dropping, while
Leixlip's shooting was high standard and they led at half time.
Killester came into the game after that, especially with better defence, and the
second half was very even. But Leixlip were able to maintain their lead and
in the end won out by 22-11.
Match reports thanks to Eugene
Mid November saw the first two league matches of the season, both played at
home in Bayside and both matches played in an excellent spirit and at a good
pace.
On 15th November, the Mens B team played Sports Club 15 B.
Killester got away to a fast start and soon led by 10 points. They were strong on defence and passing well. The scoring was well spread around the team.
SC15 came back into it in the third quarter with a few nice baskets, but Killester steadied the ship and pulled away again in the final quarter.
The final score was 33-13 to Killester.
On 22nd November, the Mens C team opened their season against Leixlip.
Killester started slowly, with quite a few shots not quite dropping, while
Leixlip's shooting was high standard and they led at half time.
Killester came into the game after that, especially with better defence, and the
second half was very even. But Leixlip were able to maintain their lead and
in the end won out by 22-11.
Match reports thanks to Eugene
Skills Athletes Hard at Work
Friday, 15th November
Our athletes in the Skills section of our club work hard every Friday practicing shooting, dribbling and passing the basketball, all the skills needed in the sport demonstrated by some photographs below.
|
|
|
|
Halloween Holidays |
|
Next Friday, 25th October, there will only be training for the Men's A and Men's B teams and that will be from 8pm to 9pm.
The following Friday, 1st November, there is no training for the Halloween break.
Training for all athletes resumes again on Friday, 8th November.
Wishing you all a happy Halloween and looking forward to seeing you all back on Friday, 8th.
The New Season 2024-2025
Friday 13th September
We hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxed summer and are all revved-up for the new season to begin on Friday, 13th September.
Skills will start at 7pm until 7.45pm
Mens C Team start at 7pm until 7.50pm
Ladies Team start at 7.50pm until 8.50pm
Mens A and B Teams start at 8.50pm until 9.50pm
We will look forward to seeing all athletes, volunteers and coaches again.
Skills will start at 7pm until 7.45pm
Mens C Team start at 7pm until 7.50pm
Ladies Team start at 7.50pm until 8.50pm
Mens A and B Teams start at 8.50pm until 9.50pm
We will look forward to seeing all athletes, volunteers and coaches again.
Killester Special Olympics Basketball Club
Season 2024-2025
2024-2025Annual Subscriptions:
Men’s A, B and C €120 pa
Ladies €120 pa
Skills €90 pa
Payment Options
Transfer or lodge To Killester Special Olympics Bank Account
IBAN - IE35BOFI 900690 91949456
BIC - BOFIIE2DXXX
Please ensure you include name of Athlete on bank transfer/lodgement.
Revolut to Club Treasurer, Patricia Morris
Please add Club Treasurer, Patricia Morris mobile no. 086 2738841, to your contacts in your phone.
Beneficiary – Patricia Orla Morris @patricnor
Please ensure you include name of Athlete on revolut payment.
If neither of the above options are suitable, you can pay by Cash
To be handed to Club Treasurer or Coach in envelope with Athletes name clearly marked.
If you have any queries on the above, please contact me on 086 2738841.
Patricia Morris
Killester Special Olympics Basketball Club.
Social Night
Friday, 24th May 2024
Last Friday night Coaches, Volunteers and Athletes were joined by their families at The Beachcomber for the end-of-season social night to celebrate the end of a great season where the club expanded it’s wings by the Mens A Team going to a tournament in London and the Ladies team and the Mens A, B, and C teams going to a tournament in Waterford, all with great success.
It was a very relaxed and sociable night where chat and banter were exchanged and music was supplied by Illia.
The food served was delicious and so was a special cake, with the design of our match jersey on it, expertly cut by Rebecca!
All-in-all a great night to celebrate the end of the season.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday 13th September next.
Best wishes for a happy summer.
It was a very relaxed and sociable night where chat and banter were exchanged and music was supplied by Illia.
The food served was delicious and so was a special cake, with the design of our match jersey on it, expertly cut by Rebecca!
All-in-all a great night to celebrate the end of the season.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday 13th September next.
Best wishes for a happy summer.
Waterford Basketball Invitational Tournament
Sunday, 14th April
Once again an early start for three of the Killester Basketball teams as they headed to Waterford for an all-day basketball tournament.
There were teams from two clubs in Dublin, Killester and Palmerstown, as well as teams from Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.
The Killester Mens 1 team was made up of a few A Team players and some B Team players. The second team was the Ladies Team and the Mens 2 team was made up of some B Team players and some C Team players so that the matches played were as evenly matched as possible with the opposition teams.
All three teams played in different venues and a number of coaches, volunteers and parents accompanied the teams.
Each team played three fast-paced matches. In two of the matches the games went down to the wire. The Killester Mens 1 team won by just a point when Ashwin scored with just one second to go! The Ladies match was equally exciting when they won in overtime!
It was a great day out and all the players had lots of fun including on the way down in the coach and on the way back though a bit more subdued due to tiredness.
Thanks to the Waterford organisers who ran the tournament. The organisation was excellent and everything ran to time.
Thanks also to Coaches, volunteers and parents who gave of their time to help the day go so smoothly.
There were teams from two clubs in Dublin, Killester and Palmerstown, as well as teams from Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.
The Killester Mens 1 team was made up of a few A Team players and some B Team players. The second team was the Ladies Team and the Mens 2 team was made up of some B Team players and some C Team players so that the matches played were as evenly matched as possible with the opposition teams.
All three teams played in different venues and a number of coaches, volunteers and parents accompanied the teams.
Each team played three fast-paced matches. In two of the matches the games went down to the wire. The Killester Mens 1 team won by just a point when Ashwin scored with just one second to go! The Ladies match was equally exciting when they won in overtime!
It was a great day out and all the players had lots of fun including on the way down in the coach and on the way back though a bit more subdued due to tiredness.
Thanks to the Waterford organisers who ran the tournament. The organisation was excellent and everything ran to time.
Thanks also to Coaches, volunteers and parents who gave of their time to help the day go so smoothly.
Killester Special Olympics Mens A Team goes International! Saturday, 30th March 2023
Last Saturday, 30th March the Mens A team along with coaches Martin and Eugene, volunteer Edward and chief supporter, Orla set off from Dublin Airport for London in the pre-dawn hours of the morning to play by invitation in a UK Special Olympics regional basketball tournament. In London, they made their way to Kensington Leisure Centre by tube and bus.
Killester played in the A Division of the tournament. Our first match was against Chiefs Basketball from Hertfordshire which was a tough match but Killester came out on top in the end. We then had a match against London Basketball whom we also beat to put us into the final.
There was a break for lunch and then Chiefs had a play-off match with London Basketball which Chiefs won.
So, to the final, the last match of the day with everyone watching, Killester got off to a strong start and led at half-time but Chiefs came back well to level the score. However, Killester’s overall strength came to the fore and we pulled away to win in the end. Our gold medals were presented by the actor Jim Carter (the butler in Downton Abbey)!
It was an excellent event with a good standard of opposition which our players really enjoyed. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to represent your club playing sport in a different country. Even more importantly our team was widely complemented by UK Special Olympics and by our opponents on both our high standard of play and the spirit and manner in which we played the game.
Thanks also to Trish who did most of the organisation of the trip.
Well done to all!
Killester played in the A Division of the tournament. Our first match was against Chiefs Basketball from Hertfordshire which was a tough match but Killester came out on top in the end. We then had a match against London Basketball whom we also beat to put us into the final.
There was a break for lunch and then Chiefs had a play-off match with London Basketball which Chiefs won.
So, to the final, the last match of the day with everyone watching, Killester got off to a strong start and led at half-time but Chiefs came back well to level the score. However, Killester’s overall strength came to the fore and we pulled away to win in the end. Our gold medals were presented by the actor Jim Carter (the butler in Downton Abbey)!
It was an excellent event with a good standard of opposition which our players really enjoyed. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to represent your club playing sport in a different country. Even more importantly our team was widely complemented by UK Special Olympics and by our opponents on both our high standard of play and the spirit and manner in which we played the game.
Thanks also to Trish who did most of the organisation of the trip.
Well done to all!
Killester Ladies team V Blue Dolphins
Friday, January 19, 2024
In their first league match of the New Season the Killester Ladies Team played Blue Dolphins in a hard-fought, well contested match both in offence and defence.
By half-time Blue Dolphins were ahead. However, our Ladies Team didn't give up the fight and battled to the end but couldn't catch up the difference in the scores despite scoring some great baskets.
a good game to watch for the supporters from both teams.
Congratulations to both teams on a spirited match.
Men's B Team V Kildare Men's Team
Friday 15 December
Last Friday night the Men's B Team had a league match with the Kildare Men's Team, always a competitive game.
From the tip-off it was a fast-passed game from one end of the court to the other, each team scoring points.
It was a very close match for the first three quarters with the lead changing hands regularly.
It was an exciting match to watch, each team giving their all.
Congratulations to both teams on such an excellent night.
From the tip-off it was a fast-passed game from one end of the court to the other, each team scoring points.
It was a very close match for the first three quarters with the lead changing hands regularly.
It was an exciting match to watch, each team giving their all.
Congratulations to both teams on such an excellent night.
Christmas Party
Friday 8 December 2023
Last Friday night was Party Night! We had our annual Christmas Party. There was a great attendance of Athletes, volunteers and coaches which made it all the better. Best of all though, 5 of the Killester Superleague players joined us to take part in the fun.
Then the serious part of the night began as various Special Olympics athletes from the Skills players right up through the Men's C team, the Ladies team and a combination of the Men's A and B teams faced-off against the Superleague players.
There were some hotly contested matches with some great baskets scored, mainly by the Special Olympics players. Our head coach afterwards suggested to the Superleague players that they needed to work on their defence!!
As if all that was not good enough, Santa Claus arrived, taking some time out of his busy schedule to hand out gifts to all the Athletes. It was a wonderful night and everyone went home smiling!
The committee would like to thank all those who contributed to the organising of the Christmas Party, to the coaches and volunteers who were there on the night to help, to the Superleague players who made the time to be a part of the night and to Santa Claus who played a blinder.
Then the serious part of the night began as various Special Olympics athletes from the Skills players right up through the Men's C team, the Ladies team and a combination of the Men's A and B teams faced-off against the Superleague players.
There were some hotly contested matches with some great baskets scored, mainly by the Special Olympics players. Our head coach afterwards suggested to the Superleague players that they needed to work on their defence!!
As if all that was not good enough, Santa Claus arrived, taking some time out of his busy schedule to hand out gifts to all the Athletes. It was a wonderful night and everyone went home smiling!
The committee would like to thank all those who contributed to the organising of the Christmas Party, to the coaches and volunteers who were there on the night to help, to the Superleague players who made the time to be a part of the night and to Santa Claus who played a blinder.
Men's A Team V Killester Under-15 Team
Friday, 17th November 2023
|
Men's A in great match
Our Men's A team played a Killester Under-15 team in Bayside on Friday 17th November in what turned out to be a fantastic match. We have been looking for additional fixtures for our Mens A team as there is only one other team in Special Olympics Eastern Region able to play at Division 1 level. So we were delighted with the opportunity to play a Killester Under-15 team. The game itself was fast paced from start to finish and was played in an excellent spirit between two evenly matched teams. The lead changed hands on a number of occasions and the result went right to the wire, final score was 44-43 in favour of Killester Under-15’s. Well done to both teams! Thanks so much to coach Trevor and manager Donna for bringing your team. It is a huge benefit for our Special Olympics athletes to be part of Killester basketball club that is a great supporter of disability and inclusivity, especially evident on occasions such as this. Thanks to Eugene for match report |
|
Start of a New Season
Friday 8th September
Once again a new season of basketball has begun and there was a great turn-out of Athletes, Volunteers and Coaches for our Friday night training.
On the first night we had a presentation of gold medals for the Mens A Team and the Mns C Team for winning their leagues last season and silver medals for the Mens B Team for coming joint second in their league.
pictures of the winning teams
On the first night we had a presentation of gold medals for the Mens A Team and the Mns C Team for winning their leagues last season and silver medals for the Mens B Team for coming joint second in their league.
pictures of the winning teams
Ashwin's piece on being presented with his ALPS Bronze Award
Upcoming Match Fixtures
Coaches will contact team athletes to confirm match dates and times
Ashwin's article for his ALPS Bronze Medal
Killester Ladies Team V Swords Ladies Team
Friday 3rd March
Killester ladies team hosted Swords for a league game last Friday in front of a sizeable crowd who made plenty of noise! It was a fast paced game of high quality and high effort throughout, with a very strong Swords team coming out on top.
Killester's full squad of 12 players was on hand and every player acquitted themselves well. Special mentions for Aoibhe, who did really well in what was her first competitive game for Killester, and for Natasha, who showed fantastic energy throughout and had to come off near the end after being it in the face by the ball.
The first quarter was nip and tuck with both teams scoring some excellent baskets. The second and third quarters were tight and low scoring for both sides and the fourth quarter was again very high scoring and exciting, with Swords maintaining the edge throughout.
With thanks for the match report to Eugene
Killester's full squad of 12 players was on hand and every player acquitted themselves well. Special mentions for Aoibhe, who did really well in what was her first competitive game for Killester, and for Natasha, who showed fantastic energy throughout and had to come off near the end after being it in the face by the ball.
The first quarter was nip and tuck with both teams scoring some excellent baskets. The second and third quarters were tight and low scoring for both sides and the fourth quarter was again very high scoring and exciting, with Swords maintaining the edge throughout.
With thanks for the match report to Eugene
Basketball 4 Ukraine
Killester SO selection participate in Social Basketball Fundraiser
|
Our Mens and ladies selection were delighted to participate in the Social Basketball Marathon Fundraising event in Bayside on Saturday April 2nd. It was such a well organised event, and our athletes really enjoyed the opportunity to play against many social teams.
We were delighted to be joined by our friends Finn, Se and Luke for the matches. Such a worthy cause, and as of Monday, April 4th, close to €10,000 has been raised for 3 charities involved in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Well done to the organisers of the event and all those who contributed. |
If you would like to join us for the first time, click here for our contact details.
Back to where we belong...on the court!
⭐ Our Killester stars shine as brightly as the sun ⭐
during our first training session outdoors
You could not dampen the smiles of our Killester athletes, as they returned to training for the first time in 14 long months on Saturday, May 29th at our new outdoor home in Holy Faith, Clontarf. The Committee have been working hard behind the scenes, to ensure a safe return to training, and with the help and cooperation of our wonderful athletes, we pulled it off! Even the weather was on our side, with the best sun shining day anyone could ask for.
Our Mens teams trained first in their pods, under the guidance of Coaches Martin, Eugene and John. They got straight to work on shooting, passing and dribbling drills. Our Ladies followed, getting back into the swing of things, with fundamental movement, passing and shooting drills. As you can see from the photos, everyone had a blast and were delighted to be reunited with their teams.
The Committee is so thankful for the effort of our athletes and their families, following COVID protocols and maintaining distance on the court to develop a new normal of training. Huge appreciation must also be expressed to Holy Faith, who have given us a new temporary home for our return to training. It is such a beautiful facility, we are very lucky to have the use of it for the next few weeks.
Our Mens teams trained first in their pods, under the guidance of Coaches Martin, Eugene and John. They got straight to work on shooting, passing and dribbling drills. Our Ladies followed, getting back into the swing of things, with fundamental movement, passing and shooting drills. As you can see from the photos, everyone had a blast and were delighted to be reunited with their teams.
The Committee is so thankful for the effort of our athletes and their families, following COVID protocols and maintaining distance on the court to develop a new normal of training. Huge appreciation must also be expressed to Holy Faith, who have given us a new temporary home for our return to training. It is such a beautiful facility, we are very lucky to have the use of it for the next few weeks.
While we are not in a position to welcome all of our athletes back just yet, we are hopeful, that with the consistent easing of restrictions, we will all be back together soon. For now, we will continue to schedule zoom sessions on Fridays for those who cannot return before the summer.
Return to Activities Update
May 19th, 2021
We are delighted to announce that we will be in a position to return to a limited schedule of activities outdoors under strict Special Olympics and Government Guidelines. Coaches have been in contact with all teams who can be facilitated at present with details.
For return to activities information, please click here
For return to activities information, please click here
🥳🎂
Our Mens C Athlete Philip celebrated a very special birthday during lockdown
Click here to read all about it
Skills Athletes In Training
|
|
Our Skills Athletes work every bit as hard on improving their basketball skills as do our teams. From dribbling to passing the to shooting are all practiced on Friday nights from 7pm to 7.45pm.
Some athletes go one-on-one with the coaches and some take part in the C Team training and, by the end of the season, they all make great progress. It is from this group that athletes progress on to teams which is always great to see. |
Killester Special Olympics is affiliated to Special Olympics Ireland Eastern Region
