Academy
At the very heart of the club is our vibrant under 10 Academy. The Academy caters for our youngest members from senior infants to under 10's and it is where many of our players begin their journey through the club.
The Academy takes place on Friday evenings at The Watershed from September through to April. It's loud and fun and staffed with loads of very friendly coaches! It's all about learning the fundamental skills such as, running and jumping, throwing and catching, movement and ball handling. The emphasis is on fun and friendship and with time building the core skills to prepare each child for competitive basketball.
Flexible payment options available
Junior Ballers (U6 - U7): €200
Players born in 2020 - 2021
Senior Ballers (U8 - U9): €210
Players born 2018 - 2019
Junior Academy (U10): €210
Players born in 2017
The U10 Academy is for club members only. In addition to club membership, parents/guardians must also register their children with our governing body, Basketball Ireland.
BI registration is mandatory for insurance purposes and is FREE for children U10. The onus is on parents/guardians to complete BI registration before children attend. Click on the link HERE for Basketball Ireland registration.
Our Junior Academy U10 players are sometimes entered in the U11 Southeast leagues. Or Junior and Senior Ballers do not play in an official league. Kilkenny Stars hosts a blitz series throughout the season aimed primarily at our Senior Ballers/Junior Academy in preparation for them moving into the leagues.
These games are played in a 3 v 3 format to give our young players a more active role in the team, hopefully ensuring everyone gets plenty of passes. The referees double as coaches teaching the children as they go.
Important Info For Academy Parents/Guardians
We ask parents/guardians:
- Sign in with one of our volunteers at the club desk (just outside the sports hall) on arrival and return to the hall to collect after training.
- Please do not drop children early.
- Please do not drop older siblings, training in later sessions, for the duration of younger siblings sessions unless you plan to remain on site yourself.
- Please take your child to the toilet before training and encourage them not to ask to go out to the toilet unless really necessary.*
- We ask for good behaviour and for everyone to be treated with respect at all times.
- Please explain to your child that they are not to leave the hall until you return.
- Please pick up children promptly to leave courts clear for the next training session.
- Please explain to your child that they must return to a coach if parents/guardians have not arrived.
Please Note: If children need the bathroom during training, please be aware that coaches cannot accompany them. We insist that all children use the "designated" toilet only. That is the one in the corridor outside the sports hall. NOT the ones in corridor leading out to the pitches. Please explain this to your child. Please be aware that the toilets have heavy fire doors and are often difficult for very young children to open, particularly from the inside. We have requested they be left open with a wedge but The Watershed informs us that it's not possible due to fire safety rules. If you are not happy for your child to go to the toilet alone, we ask you stay for the duration of the session.
Kilkenny Stars Basketball
Founded 2011