28th October 2002

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Basketball in Northern Ireland took a giant leap forward when the University of Ulster teamed up with BBALS (Belfast Basketball Action for Local Schools) to launch the Junior Community Basketball Club, a pioneering programme of coaching for youngsters in the fast-growing sport.

Over 90 basketball-mad children from three local schools headed to the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown campus lat Friday (25th) for a special ‘Festival of Basketball’ in the University’s Sports Centre. Schools taking part included Greeniland PS, St Bernard’s PS, Glengormley, and Acorn Integrated PS.

The interest in basketball that BBALS has generated in schools has led to the demand for improved opportunities for children, particularly between the ages of 7-13 years, to play the game in their own spare time – hence the new project.

Launching the BBALS Junior Community Club, Professor Bill Clarke, Provost of the University’s Jordanstown campus, said:

“The BBALS school and community programmes are an example of how the university can provide expertise at staff and student levels to enhance educational and community development through sport. The university is eager to become more visible and accessible for all and we believe that primary school aged children from all sectors of the community should consider the university as somewhere they would like to aspire to go in the future

“ By facilitating basketball festivals like the one we have today in our Sports Hall we are making young children aware of the university and what it has to offer. We want 'university' to be a word in their vocabulary and one, which conjures up feelings of enjoyment and good fun.”

Sponsor Alan Stather, Store Manager at Argos Belfast, said: "Argos is delighted to be the main corporate sponsor of BBALS. We anticipate a rewarding future for all that are involved in the programme , especially those children who may not otherwise find themselves involved in such a positive scheme. BBALS uses PE to improve the literacy and numeracy of school age children at an early stage of their development, and we have found that many schools use our catalogue to enhance literacy and numeracy. These synergies are complimentary, and have proven to be every effective.

Sponsor Ellen Hillen, Lisburn Square Centre Manager said: "I am very pleased that Lisburn Square is a sponsor of BBALS. We are keen to foster relationships with local schools and the community through the BBALS programme. This initiative encourages co-operation amongst children and encourages a healthy interest in sport. We are keen to be associated with this scheme, and to see hat the local children of Lisburn see the Square as an integral part of their city and somewhere safe that they can relax and enjoy themselves."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk