On behalf of North Kildare Basketball, we wish to object to the removal of the basketball court in the proposed redevelopment of the Harbour Field. The basketball court is the only existing facility that will be removed. No rationale is outlined for its removal. Furthermore, this is the outdoor basketball court in Maynooth that is publicly accessible.
North Kildare Basketball serves the communities of Maynooth, Celbridge, Clane, Straffan and rural areas in between. The club is affiliated with Basketball Ireland. The club recently was awarded the Basketball Ireland Bronze Club Mark.
Covid-19 has greatly impacted on recreational activities. One of the positive outcomes has been a growth in outdoor activities. One such activity is outdoor or street basketball.
Street basketball (or just ‘streetball’) is played on outdoor courts and features significantly less formal structure and enforcement of the game's rules. Its format is conducive to allowing players to publicly showcase their own individual skills. It allows individual players to play the game without being part of an organised team.
A distinctive feature of street basketball is the ‘pick up game’. To participate, an individual play goes to an outdoor court and indicates a wish to participate, and from all the players who are at the court, teams are selected. Typically, it is played using a small-sided format, such as 3 v 3 format.
Street basketball takes place in centrally located venues, such as community parks. There is no cost to participation or no uniforms or shoe types are required. All that is needed is a basketball.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the outdoor court in the Harbour Field in Maynooth has emerged as a popular location for street basketball. It is possible to see small-sided pick-up games being played at all times, but especially at weekends. Players travel from across north Kildare to participate. There is a large contingent of international players from Maynooth University. The venue is especially popular among young males, between the ages of 15 and 25. It is clear that the majority of these players have no other outlet for playing sports during the Covid-19 lockdown.
North Kildare Basketball wants to extend the reach of basketball into the local community by facilitating the playing of basketball by young people and adults on a casual basis and especially amongst those who may not wish to play in an organised league. There are many people who want to play sports on an individual basis, without the time commitment and playing constraints of a team environment.
The quality of the court in the Harbour Field is poor. It has a hard asphalt covering, there is no court markings (eg 3 point line), and the two baskets are in need of replacement. The surface is conducive to skin and burn injuries. Long-term, it is likely that players will sustain joint and spine injuries. A particular concern from a safety viewpoint is the presence of two steel ‘goals’ under each basket.
Our proposal is to upgrade the facility by installing new baskets and upgrade the surface.
First and foremost, it will provide an enhanced outdoor environment for people to exercise and meet up in a safe manner while the Covid-19 pandemic continues to restrict how people socialise and interact.
Second, it will provide a local amenity for young people and adults to play recreational sports. The Harbour Field largely caters for younger children in the playground. There is no publicly accessible facility for young people between aged of 12 and 25. The facility will also appeal to middle aged people who may have played basketball in their youth, but no longer want to play organised sport.
Third, street basketball is a multi-cultural phenomenon. It appeals to diversity of backgrounds, especially among migrants and minority ethnic groups. As such, street basketball is an inter-cultural resource, where people of diverse backgrounds can be united among a common interest. The renovated facility will serve as a platform for social development and inclusion - fostering stronger and more integrated communities.
Fourth, the surface of the existing facility is of poor quality, which may be inhibiting children and girls in particular from playing on the court because of the risk of injury.
Fifth, a renovated facility could be used to host 3 v 3 tournaments. Basketball Ireland has recently announced a summer 3 v 3 programme as part of its ‘Reboot and Rebound 2021 Menu’. It will be invited clubs to host 3x3 events and will provide support by Basketball Ireland development officers to set up and run the events. A special 3x3 support pack will also be available, that will include basketballs, prizes and other guidance on running a successful event. For individuals who want to play, there will also be open runs and social tournaments throughout the summer.
Sixth, the facility will attract people to visit Maynooth. It will especially appeal to families who have younger and older children, as now there will also be an adjacent facility for older family members.
Tuairimí
On behalf of North Kildare Basketball, we wish to object to the removal of the basketball court in the proposed redevelopment of the Harbour Field. The basketball court is the only existing facility that will be removed. No rationale is outlined for its removal. Furthermore, this is the outdoor basketball court in Maynooth that is publicly accessible.
North Kildare Basketball serves the communities of Maynooth, Celbridge, Clane, Straffan and rural areas in between. The club is affiliated with Basketball Ireland. The club recently was awarded the Basketball Ireland Bronze Club Mark.
Covid-19 has greatly impacted on recreational activities. One of the positive outcomes has been a growth in outdoor activities. One such activity is outdoor or street basketball.
Street basketball (or just ‘streetball’) is played on outdoor courts and features significantly less formal structure and enforcement of the game's rules. Its format is conducive to allowing players to publicly showcase their own individual skills. It allows individual players to play the game without being part of an organised team.
A distinctive feature of street basketball is the ‘pick up game’. To participate, an individual play goes to an outdoor court and indicates a wish to participate, and from all the players who are at the court, teams are selected. Typically, it is played using a small-sided format, such as 3 v 3 format.
Street basketball takes place in centrally located venues, such as community parks. There is no cost to participation or no uniforms or shoe types are required. All that is needed is a basketball.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the outdoor court in the Harbour Field in Maynooth has emerged as a popular location for street basketball. It is possible to see small-sided pick-up games being played at all times, but especially at weekends. Players travel from across north Kildare to participate. There is a large contingent of international players from Maynooth University. The venue is especially popular among young males, between the ages of 15 and 25. It is clear that the majority of these players have no other outlet for playing sports during the Covid-19 lockdown.
North Kildare Basketball wants to extend the reach of basketball into the local community by facilitating the playing of basketball by young people and adults on a casual basis and especially amongst those who may not wish to play in an organised league. There are many people who want to play sports on an individual basis, without the time commitment and playing constraints of a team environment.
The quality of the court in the Harbour Field is poor. It has a hard asphalt covering, there is no court markings (eg 3 point line), and the two baskets are in need of replacement. The surface is conducive to skin and burn injuries. Long-term, it is likely that players will sustain joint and spine injuries. A particular concern from a safety viewpoint is the presence of two steel ‘goals’ under each basket.
Our proposal is to upgrade the facility by installing new baskets and upgrade the surface.
First and foremost, it will provide an enhanced outdoor environment for people to exercise and meet up in a safe manner while the Covid-19 pandemic continues to restrict how people socialise and interact.
Second, it will provide a local amenity for young people and adults to play recreational sports. The Harbour Field largely caters for younger children in the playground. There is no publicly accessible facility for young people between aged of 12 and 25. The facility will also appeal to middle aged people who may have played basketball in their youth, but no longer want to play organised sport.
Third, street basketball is a multi-cultural phenomenon. It appeals to diversity of backgrounds, especially among migrants and minority ethnic groups. As such, street basketball is an inter-cultural resource, where people of diverse backgrounds can be united among a common interest. The renovated facility will serve as a platform for social development and inclusion - fostering stronger and more integrated communities.
Fourth, the surface of the existing facility is of poor quality, which may be inhibiting children and girls in particular from playing on the court because of the risk of injury.
Fifth, a renovated facility could be used to host 3 v 3 tournaments. Basketball Ireland has recently announced a summer 3 v 3 programme as part of its ‘Reboot and Rebound 2021 Menu’. It will be invited clubs to host 3x3 events and will provide support by Basketball Ireland development officers to set up and run the events. A special 3x3 support pack will also be available, that will include basketballs, prizes and other guidance on running a successful event. For individuals who want to play, there will also be open runs and social tournaments throughout the summer.
Sixth, the facility will attract people to visit Maynooth. It will especially appeal to families who have younger and older children, as now there will also be an adjacent facility for older family members.