Irish International Basketball Baku In Action

The return of Irish basketball to the international stage took a major step forward with the success of the senior women at the European 3x3 Basketball Championships in Bucharest over the weekend.

Team Ireland's 10th place finish has earned the squad a place at the European Games in Baku in 2015, the first event of its kind to be organised by the European Olympic Committees.

Ireland's senior international programmes have been on hiatus since 2010 due to financial restrictions but Basketball Ireland have sought to reintroduce international representation via the 3x3 game in 2014.

The Team will now go on to represent Ireland in the First European Games in Baku in June 2015. They are the first team sport to qualify for Team Ireland along with representatives in Gymnastics (6), Wrestling (2), Boxing (3) and Canoeing (5). 55% of those who have qualified to represent Ireland at the games are women.

Speaking on Ireland's performance at the European 3x3 Championships in Romania, Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland said:"This is a brilliant achievement and it is great to see Irish Basketball represented in the inaugural European Games in Baku"

With over 250 million players and considered the number one urban team sport in the world, 3x3 basketball is a key motor for the development of basketball. It is a 3 a side version of the game played on a half court featuring shorter games and more action. FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, are hoping to have 3x3 Basketball installed as an Olympic event in time for the Tokyo games in 2020.

Basketball Ireland Chief Executive Bernard O'Byrne is hopeful that opportunities to represent Ireland will help to grow the 3x3 game and Basketball as a whole in Ireland:
"Basketball's World Governing Body (FIBA) are investing heavily in the 3x3 game to secure the future of basketball. We only introduced 3x3 Basketball to Ireland in the last 12 months and it's wonderful to see success so soon. My hope is that players will see what can be achieved and get involved to the benefit of the wider game. We see a future where Ireland are represented in 3x3 Basketball at the Olympic Games".