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
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
Killester Special Olympics Christmas Party 2022
Our first Christmas Party since 2019 was a great success thanks to so many athletes who turned-up from our skills athletes all through our womens and mens teams.
We also had 5 basketball players from the Killester Superleague Ladies Team and four from the Killester Superleague Mens Team. Between them they gave all our teams a great workout. In saying that, our teams from the two Ladies teams to the Mens C, B and A teams gave the Super League players a run for their money! All matches compered by Mens Superleague Coach, Brian.
To cap the evening off, Santa arrived to great excitement. Each athlete got a backpack with Killester Special Olympics on it and a goodie bag as well.
Everyone went home having had a great night.
The committee would like to thank the athletes and their families for such a great season, the hall committee
and Karl, the caretaker, the Superleague mens and womens players for coming along and playing the matches and, of course, Santa.
We also had 5 basketball players from the Killester Superleague Ladies Team and four from the Killester Superleague Mens Team. Between them they gave all our teams a great workout. In saying that, our teams from the two Ladies teams to the Mens C, B and A teams gave the Super League players a run for their money! All matches compered by Mens Superleague Coach, Brian.
To cap the evening off, Santa arrived to great excitement. Each athlete got a backpack with Killester Special Olympics on it and a goodie bag as well.
Everyone went home having had a great night.
The committee would like to thank the athletes and their families for such a great season, the hall committee
and Karl, the caretaker, the Superleague mens and womens players for coming along and playing the matches and, of course, Santa.
A Team v Killester Basketball Mens Social team
Thursday, 1/12/2022
Last Thursday the Mens A Team took part in a second game against Killester Basketball Mens Social Team. Unfortunately, illness, injury and transport problems struck a few of the A Team players on the day, so they were supplemented by Hugh from the Mens B Team and three players from the Social Team group. Nevertheless, it was an excellent game, Mens A fell behind in the first two quarters but came back very strongly, to be pipped at the end on a 39-38 scoreline. These games against the Killester Social Team have been a great opportunity for Mens A to play against a higher standard of opposition than they meet in Special Olympics competition and show the significant benefit from being part of the larger Killester Basketball Club.
Report kindly written by Eugene |
Two Friendly Matches
Killester Ladies team V Blue Dolphins Ladies Team and
Killester Mens B Team V Blue Dolphins Mens Team
Friday, 25/11/2022
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The Ladies match tipped off at 8pm and right from the beginning was a fast-paced game going from one end of the court to the other. Both teams gave their all and, in the end, the bigger and stronger Blue Dolphins came out the winner. However, the Killester Ladies Team played with great energy right to the end and did the club proud. Well done to both teams.
Next, the Mens match got off to a flying start at 9pm. Once again, it was a fast-paced game going from end-to-end at lightning speed. the Mens B Team had the help of David from the A Team who was a welcome addition. Once again, in a close game where defences were very strong, it came down to narrow margins to decide the game which went to Blue Dolphins. However, it was a very entertaining match to watch and played in a great spirit. |
Social Night 2022
It was a wonderful occasion to be joined by our athletes and their families on May 27th, for our end of season Social Night. Glad rags were donned and shoes were polished to celebrate a great season of finally being all back together and playing the game we love.
We were thrilled to have some awards to present too, as our Ladies team had finished 3rd in the recent regional advancemment event in Gormanston. The night gave everyone the opportunity to catch up with their friends from other sessions, as we'd dilligently stuck to our pods throughout the season. As a special treat, we had some finger food and a very special cake for dessert. There wasn't a crumb left! The coaches have now signed off for the summer, but will be in touch in September with return dates for the new season. Happy holidays everyone! |
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Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Committee of Killester Special Olympics will hold their AGM on June 1st at 8pm. This meeting will take place over Zoom. All athletes, families and volunteers are invited to attend and participate. Session coaches will be in contact with further details and a link to access the meeting in the coming weeks.
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. |
Game, Set, Match
Ladies and Mens B welcome their Wicklow friends for the first time in 2 years
All roads led to Bayside on March 25th for the first matches since our return to activities. Our Ladies and Mens B sides welcomed their friends from Blue Dolphins in Wicklow to mark the joyous occasion.
Our Ladies side got the proceedings underway, by dusting off the cobwebs of the backboard with some excellent baskets early in the first quarter. Blue Dolphins brought their best and were not left pointless for long. It really was an excellent game and a great way to get back in the swing of match play. Our Mens B were up next against another strong Blue Dolphins team, who really kept our Men on their toes for a thrilling match. It was a wonderful occasion to welcome spectators back to Bayside for the first time too. All left well entertained after the dazzling Double Header. There will be no rest for the wicked for the next few weeks in Killester while we knuckle down to training for the upcoming Regional events in May. |
Return to Activities Update
February 2022
The Committee have recently received updated guidelines from Special Olympics, which reflect guidelines issued by Sport Ireland regarding the reopening of Sporting Activities. We have considered the guidelines and would like to make all athletes and their families aware of their procedure going forward.
From February 18th, It will no longer be a requirement to present a digital covid certificate, providing evidence of vaccination, to attend training with us.
Athletes attending training for the first time or attending again since our return to Bayside are required to fill out a new self declaration form and a covid code of conduct form and return them prior to training.
Each week, we will continue to train in our established training bubbles, as below:
Skills, Mens C: 7.00 to 7.45
Ladies : 8.00 to 8.45
Mens A, Mens B: 9.00 to 9.45
We ask that you continue to respect these times and do not attend early. We will continue to ensure the hall is ventilated, while training materials will be sanitized regularly.
Athletes are asked to wear masks entering and leaving, and sanitize their hands regularly.
Coaches will wear masks throughout the session.
As with all elements of returning to activities, it is important for each family to make decisions which are best for them. We would ask however, that if athletes experience any symptoms related to COVID 19, that they would not attend training. Each week, our session lead Coach will continue to check in with each athlete to ensure they are feeling well at the beginning of each session.
The Committee will continue to monitor these arrangements, and further updates will be issued if needs be. Should you have any questions, please contact your session coach. Further information on the updated guidance from Special Olympics can be viewed here
It has been wonderful to see training happening again within this new normal. The Killester Committee and Coaches are looking forward to a bright season ahead for all of our Athletes.
From February 18th, It will no longer be a requirement to present a digital covid certificate, providing evidence of vaccination, to attend training with us.
Athletes attending training for the first time or attending again since our return to Bayside are required to fill out a new self declaration form and a covid code of conduct form and return them prior to training.
Each week, we will continue to train in our established training bubbles, as below:
Skills, Mens C: 7.00 to 7.45
Ladies : 8.00 to 8.45
Mens A, Mens B: 9.00 to 9.45
We ask that you continue to respect these times and do not attend early. We will continue to ensure the hall is ventilated, while training materials will be sanitized regularly.
Athletes are asked to wear masks entering and leaving, and sanitize their hands regularly.
Coaches will wear masks throughout the session.
As with all elements of returning to activities, it is important for each family to make decisions which are best for them. We would ask however, that if athletes experience any symptoms related to COVID 19, that they would not attend training. Each week, our session lead Coach will continue to check in with each athlete to ensure they are feeling well at the beginning of each session.
The Committee will continue to monitor these arrangements, and further updates will be issued if needs be. Should you have any questions, please contact your session coach. Further information on the updated guidance from Special Olympics can be viewed here
It has been wonderful to see training happening again within this new normal. The Killester Committee and Coaches are looking forward to a bright season ahead for all of our Athletes.
If you would like to join us for the first time, click here for our contact details.
Killester Special Olympics Basketball Club
Season 2023-2024
2023-2024 Annual Subscriptions:
Men’s A, B and C €120 pa
Ladies €120 pa
Skills €90 pa
To be paid by Friday, September 22, 2023
Payment Options
Transfer or lodge To Club 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.
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