Naas Serpents celebrate Basketball Club celebrate 30th anniversary

Naas Serpents Basketball Club celebrated the end of their 30th Year Anniversary with a 3 x 3 Blitz in St Marys College on Saturday, 5 April, 2025.

The end of season Blitz brought all juvenile members of the club together for a day of the popular 3 x 3 version of basketball.
With over 200 children playing over the day it gives a glimpse into what the future brings for Basketball in Kildare.

Children aged 8 to 18 played the fun and energetic game of 3 x 3 with music playing on speakers around the gym adding to the energy and good vibe within the hall.

The origins of organised basketball in Naas can be traced back at least 65 years through the local schools and in particular to the army Apprentice School, Devoy Barracks, which is now the seat of local government at Áras Cill Dara.

However, Joe Clancy pioneered schools basketball locally. In 1982, having moved to Naas some years earlier, Joe began coaching in St. Mary's College and soon achieved success at school girl cadet level, culminating in an All-Ireland title. He also coached underage teams in community games basketball competitions & tournaments.

In the mid-nineties, coinciding with the completion of the first two school gymnasiums in St Marys & Naas CBS, a small cohort of local basket-ballers formed mens and ladies senior teams initially but which have since grown into a 300 strong inclusive club catering for all ages.

The Serpents initially successfully competed in a Midland League but soon migrated back to play in Dublin based competitions. In the early years it was not always plain sailing as clubs from outside the Pale had to nominate a gym like the National arena, Tymon Park or the Oblate hall, Inchicore as a home base, thus stifling our local support and development.

The ladies’ squad has blossomed under experienced senior club coach, John Clancy, who has taken up the mentoring mantle from his father.

Yet, both senior squads have been surpassed by the exponential growth of underage basketball locally. In 2017 the club started a grassroots development programme and now boasts 13 Girls teams and 6 boys teams from u11 to u20 age groups, along with 2 senior ladies teams, 1 men's team and many coaches, referees and supportive parents. The Club also runs three underage academy programmes in Naas, Caragh and Blessington.

This growth has been facilitated by the local schools and the Serpents would like to thank the principals and caretakers in particular of St. Marys College, Meanscoil ígnóid Rís (CBS), Naas Community College, Pipers Hill College and Caragh National School.

The growth of the club has coincided and not coincidentally with success at school level.
St Mary's College winning a midlands final and getting to An Ireland Final. Naas Community College winning an All Ireland Girls Cup final at u16, getting. to boys and girls midland finals, u19 girls got a bronze all Ireland League and Siver All Ireland Cup medals

Whilst Capital Sports funding has been allocated to sports clubs nationally including 8.3 million euro in Kildare alone, there are many Sports clubs including Naas Serpents Basketball Club that don't possess a permanent home and are not eligible to apply for similar funding.

Chairperson Sharon Langan said, "We are totally dependent on local schools to provide facilities This amounts to over 60% of our costs every year. These facilities which we appreciate, are lost to us at times mid season due to Exams, school Parents teacher meeting, training, School musicals.

"All local indoor clubs face similar issues. With the growth of the population of town, it is a priority for us to keep our club growing and our membership cost down. To do this we need our own facility or a shared facility with other indoor sports bodies. The town of Naas needs this. So our fundraising efforts will continue and we are actively seeking new sponsors to help secure a home for the club.

"But the day was about fun and enjoyment for our young members which judging by 200 flushed happy faces leaving the gym with Easter Egg in hand we can say was a success today. Thank you to all who helped organise the event on the day."

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