The first steps in basketball are often the most important ones — and this September, the Tralee Magic Basketball Academy is back in Mounthawk School Gym.

Our Academy is where many Magic players first pick up a basketball, learn to dribble, shoot and pass, make new friends and begin to feel part of the club. New players are very welcome, and no previous basketball experience is needed. At this age, it is about learning the game properly, building confidence and, most importantly, enjoying being on court.

Academy Schedule

🏀 U6 Boys & Girls
Thursdays from September 17th
5.45pm – 6.30pm

🏀 U8 Boys & Girls
Fridays from September 18th
5.45pm – 6.30pm


🏀 U10 Girls
Fridays from September 18th
6.30pm – 7.15pm

🏀 U10 Boys
Fridays from September 18th
7.15pm – 8.00pm

📍 Mounthawk School Gym

The Academy will be led by two coaches who know both the game and Tralee Magic very well.

John Dowling will coach our U6 boys and girls. John has been part of developing Magic players for many years and understands that, with our youngest players, a love of basketball comes before everything else. Expect lots of basketballs, lots of movement and plenty of fun as they learn the basics.

Darragh “Skinny” O’Hanlon will coach our U8 and U10 groups. Skinny is another familiar face around the club and brings plenty of basketball knowledge and energy to the gym. As players get a little older, the Academy begins to build those fundamentals further — ball handling, passing, shooting, teamwork and understanding the game.

The aim isn't to produce finished basketball players at six, eight or ten. It's to give children a place where they enjoy coming to training, learn good habits and feel that Magic is their club. 💙

There is one important piece we need in place before the Academy can operate: each age group needs a Team Manager.

This is not a basketball role. You don't need to coach, know the rules or even know the difference between a pick-and-roll and a sausage roll.

The Team Manager helps with the practical things that allow the coaches to concentrate on coaching — keeping the register,  keeping an eye on children who need to step out and, occasionally, wiping a few tears.

We need at least one parent from each age group to take this on or the we can not run the sessions.

It isn't a lot of work, particularly if you're going to be sitting in the gym while your child trains anyway, but it makes a huge difference. Tralee Magic is a volunteer-run club, and sessions like these only happen because parents give a little of their time.

So while we're looking forward to welcoming the next group of young Magic players through the doors, we're also asking a few parents to join the team with them. Please talk to the coaches if you can help out. 

New players are welcome. New volunteers are needed. And no basketball experience is required for either. 💙

More information and registration: www.traleemagicbc.ie

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