Since opening its doors in 2016 with coaches Ed and Sandra, Dublin Raiders Academy has been committed to providing a safe, fun, and engaging environment where young players can learn, develop and enjoy the game of basketball. 

What began as a single one-hour session in St. Joseph of Cluny has grown year after year thanks to the incredible support of our players and families. In 2022, we expanded to a second venue at St. Laurence College, allowing even more young athletes to join the Academy and continue their basketball journey. 

As we prepare for the Academy's 10th season, we're excited to announce the next step in our growth. From this season, our senior Academy sessions will move from St. Laurence College to Castle Park School, providing an excellent new venue as we continue to expand our programme and create the best possible environment for player development. 

A New Academy Structure

Last season saw the introduction of our new Academy Programme and the creation of a third training group, helping every player develop at their own pace while building stronger relationships with their coaches. 

For the upcoming season, we're expanding further with a new five-level Academy pathway designed to better support every stage of a player's development:

• Junior (Ages 5–6)

• Intermediate (Ages 7–8)

• Senior (Ages 9–10)

• Advanced (Ages 11–12)

• Skills & Drills (Ages 13–14) 

The Junior, Intermediate and Senior Academies will continue to operate from St. Joseph of Cluny, while our Advanced and Skills & Drills groups will now train at Castle Park School. To ensure every player receives the attention they need, each group will have a maximum of 35 players, allowing our coaches to deliver high-quality instruction in a positive and supportive environment. 

Consistent Coaching Across the Academy

Our Academy Programme provides a clear and structured pathway for every player, with consistent coaching delivered across both locations. Players will train in small groups led by qualified and experienced coaches, supported by assistants, many of whom play for our division 1 and National League teams.

Several members of our coaching team began their own basketball journey in the Raiders Academy, while others are developing their coaching skills through the club's Gaisce Programme, helping to create a strong culture of learning, and giving back within the club. 

Experienced Leadership

The Academy is led by Ed Randolph and Sandra Devine, with Alex Kiernan serving as Head Coach at St. Joseph of Cluny and Sam McEntee overseeing the Academy programme at Castle Park School. 

Players will first develop strong fundamentals including dribbling, passing, and shooting before progressing to more advanced skills as their confidence and ability grow. Our goal is for every Academy graduate to leave with the skills, confidence and love of basketball needed to progress into one of our Dublin Raiders underage teams.

We can't wait to welcome both new and returning players for another exciting season as we begin this new chapter at Castle Park School. 

For any Academy enquiries, please email: ACADEMY@DUBLINRAIDERSBASKETBALL.COM