Basketball Ireland has pulled the shutters down on its 2020/21 season, with no competitions to be played before the normal end of the season in April.
The decision was left as late as possible but with each wave and each lockdown, it became ever more inevitable. While outdoor sports did gain some reprieve last summer, and elite sports played outdoors were also allowed, things have been more challenging throughout for indoor sports.
Basketball has returned elsewhere around the world including with the NBA last weekend but examples from across Europe where most Leagues have resumed was not enough to overcome public health concerns here.
It is hoped now that competitive basketball can return between May and July, with 3×3 tournaments and other events, should Government restrictions allow.
The sport has picked up real momentum in recent years with expanded League formats bringing more and more clubs into the sport and creating a bridge to the large number of school and college teams.
The Basketball Ireland team has kept up the connection through imaginative online and social programmes in the absence of games so there is confidence that the sport will bounce back strong.
The decision was made following a meeting on Tuesday evening of the ten National Committees of Basketball Ireland with the Chair of the Basketball Ireland Board, Paul McDevitt and Secretary-General, Bernard O’Byrne, to discuss the status of the 2020/21 season and what the next steps might be.
It is hoped that an easing of Government restrictions will be allowed soon enough to allow international sides to resume training and preparations ahead of their FIBA European Championships in June and July. Ireland’s senior men are to have home advantage this summer, with the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries due to be held in Limerick.
“While this is disappointing to announce the end of our normal 2020/21 season, we hold out hope that we can get some competitive basketball underway during the summer months,” said O’Byrne.
“Our target is now to open the 2021/22 season as normal in September, across all levels and all competitions.”
“On behalf of the Board and all at Basketball Ireland, I’d like to thank our community for their efforts to support each other during these difficult times,” added McDevitt.
“We will come through this together. Basketball Ireland would like to take this opportunity to again thank the Government and Sport Ireland for the financial and logistical support we have received in 2020 and will receive in 2021 to keep our sport alive.”
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