Basketball England, Basketball Ireland, basketballscotland and Basketball Wales are pleased to announce the dates for the 2024 Four Nations at U16 and U18 level, as well as the U14 Tri-Nations and the launch of a new Tri-Nations 35+ Masters.
The first tournament of the year sees the National Basketball Arena in Dublin host the U16 Four Nations from March 25th-27th. It is followed by the U18 Four Nations, hosted by basketballscotland and takes place in Dundee, Scotland from April 2nd-4th.
Basketball Ireland Senior Technical Officer, Matt Hall, said: “These Four Nations tournaments are hugely important preparation for our Irish U16 and U18 teams, as they get set for this summer’s FIBA Youth European Championships. It’s a great opportunity for competitive basketball for our players and provides a chance to claim silverware. It is the second year in a row that Basketball Ireland has hosted the U16 Four Nations.Last year’s event was a huge success, with a packed National Basketball Arena getting to witness future stars in the making. All the games from the U16 Four Nations will be broadcast live on basketballireland.tv, with live scores available from the Swish All-Hoops app.”
Basketball England will then host the U14 Tri-Nations and the inaugural Tri-Nations 35+ Masters Tournament. They will be held from May 31stto June 2nd at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester, featuring teams from England, Scotland and Wales.
The new Tri-Nations 35+ Masters tournament is part of GB Maxibasketball – a Masters basketball performance programme – which is a collaboration between Basketball England, basketballscotland and Basketball Wales. The new tournament brings an intergenerational focus to the Tri-Nations, showcasing the longevity of the basketball talent pathway from under 14 to over 35.
GB Maxibasketball Programme Director, Sadie Mason MBE, said: “We’re thrilled to be a part of this year’s Tri-Nations Tournament in Manchester and organising a brilliant masters basketball experience with our English, Scottish and Welsh delegates.
“GB Maxibasketball is the only national masters performance programme endorsed by Basketball England and recognised within the England Talent Pathway to Great Britain representation.
“Our ambition is to encourage players to continue playing basketball and competing at performance level through regular training and international events.”
GB Maxibasketball will coordinate the recruitment of the English teams, with basketballscotland and Basketball Wales looking after their own player selection.
Basketball England Head of Talent and Performance, Steve Bucknall, said: “We have got a truly exciting Anglo-Celtic talent programme ahead of us this spring and summer.
“From an English performance perspective, I’m looking forward to seeing our teams test their mettle and their desire to play basketball at this level against our neighbours and closest national rivals.
“It’s been fantastic to work again with the other NGBs to create a schedule of events that mutually benefits our talent pathways and strengthens the level and depth of high-performing athletes we have across our countries.
“Naturally, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have a shared history, but on the court these tournaments will be highly competitive.”
basketballscotland Head of Basketball, Barry Lang, said: “As always, we look forward to the international competition window.
“The upcoming Four-Nations events provide our players, staff, and officials with the opportunity to represent their country and see a different style of play in a competitive environment.
“Our teams are looking forward to travelling to England (U14s) and Ireland (U16s), and we will welcome our opposition to Dundee in Scotland for the U18 Four-Nations.”
Basketball Wales Performance Director, Phil Gordos, said: “International competition is hugely important to the future of the national teams’ programme in Wales, so I’m very thankful we have the chance to compete against the likes of England, Ireland and Scotland in 2024.
“I hope we continue providing these kinds of opportunities, not just for our players and coaches but for our referees, table officials, team managers, support staff and content producers. For the sport to grow, we need to ensure we develop all elements of the game.
“Finally, these tournaments are hugely significant for the development of the Great Britain programme. I hope they get the support and coverage they deserve.”
