2K Foundations, the social impact arm of global games publisher 2K, has partnered with Basketball Ireland to launch a new Future is Green initiative aimed at widening access to international basketball opportunities for young Irish players.
The dedicated fund will support Ireland’s underage national pathway across the U16, U18 and U20 men’s and women’s teams, helping to ease the financial burden on athletes and families as players prepare to represent Ireland on the European stage.
Basketball Ireland’s six underage international squads compete each summer at the highest level of European basketball. The new initiative will provide support across travel and hardship bursaries, preparation camps, international competition, inclusion initiatives, athlete wellbeing, player development programmes and home warm-up games for national underage teams.
The aim is to ensure that talented young players have the opportunity to pursue international representation regardless of financial or social barriers.
“This partnership is a proud moment for our Dublin team and reflects what 2K Foundations is all about — unlocking opportunity and potential for the next generation,” said Mick O’Dwyer, VP of NBA 2K.
“Being rooted in Dublin means the Irish basketball community is our community, and we’re committed to giving back to it. Basketball Ireland shares our vision that every athlete should have the chance to represent their country, regardless of financial or social barriers. We’re excited to help support the future of Irish basketball, both on and off the court.”
As founding partner of Future is Green, 2K Foundations will work alongside Basketball Ireland to invest directly in the development of the next generation of Irish basketball talent.
The partnership comes at a time of continued growth for the sport in Ireland. Basketball is Ireland’s number one indoor team sport, with more than 800,000 basketball fans nationwide, and ranks as the third most followed sport among Gen Z audiences in the country.
The initiative will also see staff from 2K’s Dublin office support the programme through volunteering, community engagement, player development activity and pathway support designed to create a lasting impact for young athletes.
The 2K logo will feature across Ireland’s U16, U18 and U20 international team jerseys as part of the partnership, creating a visible link between the company’s Irish base and the country’s emerging basketball talent.
Sport for Business Perspective
Future is Green represents a significant investment in the youth pathway at a moment when Irish basketball is enjoying increased participation, profile and cultural relevance.
The fund offers practical support in one of the most important areas of development, ensuring that the cost of international representation does not impede progress.
For 2K Foundations, it is a locally rooted expression of a wider global mission to invest in communities through sport, education, mentorship and opportunity.
The initiative will place youth opportunity at the heart of Irish basketball’s international pathway, with the potential to support not only the players who wear the green jersey this summer, but those who will follow them in the years ahead.
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Image Credit: Basketball Ireland
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