Latest news with #JamesWeldon
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
'Sometimes it's bigger than basketball': Calls grow for Govt support over Ireland-Israel fixture
Politicians and former players are calling for the Government to support Basketball Ireland while it considers its next steps after being drawn in the same group as Israel for a women's European campaign. James Weldon's side will be in qualifying Group A in the Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, along with Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Luxembourg. Advertisement Ireland are due to travel to Israel for an away game on November 18th. In a statement, Basketball Ireland highlighted that on commencement of the competition, it would be subject to a fine of up to €80,000 should Ireland fail to fulfil their first fixture with Israel. Meanwhile, failure to play the return game would lead to a fine of up to €100,000 and removal from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, as well as the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers. Former player, Rebecca O'Keeffe, said the sporting body will need the backing of the government. Advertisement "If there are sanctions, absolutely the Government should be stepping in to help. Basketball is a very underfunded sport in this country, even though it's one of the fastest-growing," she said. The two sides met in a controversial qualifier in the Latvian capital, Riga, in February of 2024, despite public pressure to boycott the game over Israel's bombardment of Gaza. "I appreicate the transparency with Basketball Ireland this time round where they said [they] have been talking to the relevant delegations and sporting bodies and the government can absolutely step in and help," O'Keeffe said. "There is public support for this. They have options. Sometimes it's bigger than basketball, sometimes it's bigger than money." Advertisement Social Democrats sports spokesperson, Sinead Gibney, said other sports need to examine whether they compete in competitions involving Israel. She said Athletics Ireland should consider its participation in the World Athletics Championships in September. "I certainly think Athletics Irleand should be looking at it, absolutely. And I realise what that means, I realise what we're asking of our athletes and I don't want to apply pressure to any individual athelete. "That's why the governing bodies need to be the ones to look at it and take that action." Sinn Féin foreign affairs spokesperson, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said the responsibility of the situation in Gaza should not be on the players' shoulders. "I think the Irish people, they're not looking towards the likes of the basketball team to make decisions, albeit boycotts are imminently justifiable and I think right," he said. "They're looking at the Irish Government. They want to see the Occupied Territories Bill advanced. They want to see the issue in relation to the war bonds being resolved and they want to see further action and a more vocal approach at a European level."
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Basketball Ireland 'assessing next steps' after being drawn with Israel for Women's qualifiers
Basketball Ireland said they are "assessing the next steps" after being drawn with Israel for the Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers. James Weldon's side will be in qualifying Group A, along with Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Luxembourg, following Wednesday's draw. Advertisement The two sides met in a controversial qualifier in the Latvian capital, Riga, in February of 2024, despite public pressure to boycott the game over Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Ireland are due to travel to Israel for an away game on November 18th. In a statement, Basketball Ireland said: "Basketball Ireland is extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and as such we are assessing our next steps following today's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers draw, which saw Ireland drawn in Group A alongside Israel, in addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg. "Basketball Ireland have spoken to FIBA Europe subsequently and are awaiting clarifications on a number of matters. Advertisement "Basketball Ireland will also be liaising with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, the Government, and other stakeholders over the coming days and we will provide an update next week." Ireland are due to begin their FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign with back-to-back home games against Luxembourg on November 12th, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 15th, before an away game against Israel on November 18th. "Upon commencement of the competition, Basketball Ireland would be subject to a fine of up to €80,000 should Ireland fail to fulfil their first fixture with Israel, while failure to play the return game would lead to a fine of up to €100,000 and removal from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, as well as the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers," Basketball Ireland said. "Should Basketball Ireland elect to withdraw from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign entirely before they commence, a fine of up to €30,000 would be applied, while FIBA Europe rules state that they 'may impose additional sanctions according to the FIBA Internal Regulations - Book 1 - General Provisions (Chapter 6)', which includes 'disqualification from a competition in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions'."
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
James Weldon reappointed as Ireland senior women's head coach
James Weldon has been re-appointed as Ireland senior women's head coach for the upcoming FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, which get underway in November. His extension was confirmed ahead of the qualifying draw in August. It will be Weldon's third FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign, since taking charge in 2018, having steered the side in the 2023 and 2025 qualifiers. He previously led Ireland to silver in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in 2021. The Kerry native is also a decorated coach domestically, winning nine national titles with UL Wolves and being named Women's Super League Coach of the Year on three occasions during his four-year tenure in Limerick. Having had to face the third-placed team in FIBA's World Rankings, France, as well as number 29 Latvia in the most recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket qualifiers, Weldon is hopeful that the upcoming draw for the 2027 qualifiers will be a little kinder. 'The previous FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign was incredibly challenging to navigate. I'm very excited to find out who our opponents will be for the forthcoming qualifiers and embracing a new format which will give us more time in camp during each window,' Weldon said. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers First Round will see Ireland drawn in a four-team group, with three fixtures this November, followed by three fixtures in February 2026. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Second Round then begins in November 2026 and concludes in February 2027, with three games in each window. 'We hope we can build on the great team performance against Latvia last time out, when we came agonisingly close to causing an upset. We have strong squad depth now, having brought in a number of new players over the last couple of years, which should stand us in good stead when we return to competitive action.' There are no changes to Weldon's coaching staff, with Hall of Famer, Jillian Hayes, UCD Marian head coach Ioannis Liapakis and Team Manager Dolores Geaney all returning for the next two years. 'I'd like to thank my staff and players for their support and the incredible hardworking and talented group of players,' continued Weldon. 'I wouldn't be here without my wife Sharon and my extended family, who I owe a huge debt of gratitude towards for allowing me to continue to undertake this considerable, but exciting, challenge. "Finally, I want to acknowledge the Chairperson of the EPC, Professor Deirdre Brennan, the extended committee, Basketball Ireland's CEO John Feehan and all the professional staff for their ongoing hard work and advice.', concluded Weldon.
