Carlow Basketball celebrates decade of growth and community spirit

CARLOW Basketball Club marked a significant milestone over a recent August weekend when they hosted a Basketball Ireland referees training weekend at St Leo’s College, showcasing their newly upgraded facilities made possible through successful sports capital equipment grant applications.

The weekend saw underage teams from Eanna BC, Glanmire, Enniscorthy and Carlow compete in valuable preseason matches across the two days, highlighting both the improved facilities and the strong partnership between the club and St Leo’s College.

As the club celebrates its tenth anniversary, coach Vinnie Homan reflected on remarkable growth since its founding. “In 2014 we saw there was a desire for young children to play basketball, and we approached St Leo’s. I, along with others, started the club officially in August 2015,” he explained.

From humble beginnings with approximately 30 children aged 12-14, the club now boasts 320 players ranging from five years old through to senior men’s and women’s teams.

“Since we introduced our mini-basket section which caters for ages five to ten, we have grown greatly. Teams have seen success and silverware at all age levels,” Mr Homan noted, emphasising the club’s focus on long-term development rather than short-term gains.

The club has benefited from former players transitioning into coaching roles, with Peter Wall and Aaron O’Neill among those who began as players and now serve as coaches and key organisational figures.

Chairperson John Nolan highlighted the club’s impressive retention rates: “The commitment in the club is fantastic. Players are returning every year. The attrition rate is very low. We are doing a better job in retaining players.” Recent infrastructure improvements include court resurfacing, new baskets and scoreboard installation, with Homan looking ahead to developing competitive pathways at national and international levels.

St Leo’s College principal Niamh Broderick praised the decade-long partnership: “We were delighted to work with Carlow Basketball for the last ten years. It has been wonderful to see them go from strength to strength. It is indeed a symbiotic relationship.” The club will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Saturday, 13 September at St Leo’s College from 12pm-4pm, featuring activities for members and non-members, food and drink vendors, followed by an evening event at The Irishman from 8.30pm.

Further information is available on Carlow Basketball’s Facebook and Instagram pages.