Welcome to Hoop Skool Basketball, Ireland’s No.1 Player Development Programme with over 20 years of experience coaching at all levels. We are a basketball program that focuses on player development, aiming to elevate players to a high standard so that they can enjoy playing basketball at home with their friends, at school, or with a club team.

Perhaps they will try out for their County/Regional Academy or someday play for your Country’s National Team. Some of our players have even gone on to receive scholarships in the USA.

We are a community of basketball players with a love and enthusiasm for the game.

Join our community, the feeling and programme is as good as a club.

Coach Gillian

Registration for 2026/2027 Season
Current Members June 1st 2026
New Members - July 1st 2026

Our Academy
Programmes

Tiny Ballers

5 & 6 year olds
Basic basketball skills and sports development programme
Introduction to various skills.

September - March

Fun & Introduction to Competitive play
Term 1 Skills Based Development
Term 2 Skills and Competitive Play Development
Term 3 - Play League (Stillorgan Only)

Little Ballers

7 to 9 year olds
Fundamental basketball skills programme
Introduction to various skills and game like situations.
Fun introduction to Competitive play

September - May

Term 1 - Skills based development
Term 2 Skills and Game Development
Term 3 Game and Competive Skills

Shooters Academy

10 to 12 year olds

Fundamental basketball skills programme
Develop slick ballhandling skills
Develop Finishing Skillset at the basket
Competitive play

September - May

Term 1 - Skills based development
Term 2 - Skills and Game Development
Term 3 - Game Experience and Competitive Play

Shooters Club

Level 1 12 & 13 years
Level 2 14 to 18 years

Shooting Skills and Technique
Shot development programme
Work with a Shooting Coach
Game like shooting scenarios

September - May

Term 1 - Skills based development
Term 2 - Skills and Game Development
Term 3 - Game Experience and Competitive Play

Our Players Pathway

Tiny
Ballers

shooters club

Our three daughters began Hoopskool in October 2016. From the outset Gillian was friendly and warm with the girls and really put them at ease. She is a natural with children; embracing and accepting of all personalities. She consistently encourages and actively supports each child to do their best as a team mate and player. We really appreciate all the hard work and commitment that she gives to her coaching: be it on the court in Hoopskool, in St. Andrew’s or virtually over Zoom during lockdown.

Gareth and Shameela Lyons

Parents of Mia, Jazz and Abi Lyons

Being a relatively recent recruit over the last 18 months or so, we were hooked straight away...both kids and parents!....Gillian’s understanding of the children, their individual characters and motivation is the first thing that strikes you. This is key to how she works with the kids to help them achieve their own success. Honestly, ALL the children skip into the sessions, at every age and come out even happier! They won’t miss their session for anything! I would highly recommend Hoopskool to anyone wanting to either improve their skills, starting out on their basketball career learn and get some amazing friendships as part of the package.

Dolores and Declan Geaney

Parents of Max and Jodi Geaney

I have known Gillian for the last 7 years, since my son started with Hoop Skool, and then my daughter joined a few years later. Coach Gillian and the Hoop Skool family have been fantastic to both of them. Gillian is always so encouraging and shows such a genuine interest in all of the players she coaches. Her enthusiasm knows no bounds and her coaching is informative, fun and full of encouragement. The kids thrive in this environment and in the ups and downs of sport Gillian is always there, giving encouragement and motivating them to keep going. Hoop Skool is also not just about the basketball skills that the players will learn – they also learn lessons in personal development. They are encouraged to take responsibility, to work hard, and hold themselves accountable. Gillian is a natural mentor, and has the ability to effectively communicate with both younger aged kids right up to teenagers! Both my kids hold Gillian in high regard and her opinion is really important to them. I honestly can’t recommend Gillian and the Hoop Skool family highly enough!

Amanda Moran

Aisling Moran & Paraic Moran
Meteors BC & UCD Marian BC

Hoop skool is a positive always improving community. Since Joe started with his first basketball camp many years ago, he has grown into a sportsman who experiences the value of working at things and as a result has had so many hours of pleasure on the court. Gillian is the best of coaches in that she sees person first and then player. She is an adult role model for the players 🙏🙏. She teaches with heart. The weekly evening programmed have been our favourite.. just what you need at the end of the day. I would recommend Hoopskool because it really brings out the best basketball player in the young person but also encourages them to be their best selves. 🙏. Coaching for life!

Christine Magee

Parent of Joe Whelan

Our daughter has been involved in Hoop Skool in the last two years. She has attended all school holiday camps & also Gillian’s small group sessions which she really loves. She looks forward to the camps as they involve endless hours of skills training, but with fellow Hoop Skool friends and amazing guest coaches too. The small group sessions are brilliant as they’re so concentrated..Gillian gives so much feedback..positivity about the things that are being done well & continuous encouragement about those that may need some improvement. Not to mention summer boot camp last year & Friday night live sessions. She attended 3/4 sessions a week during last summer alone !!! In the last two months in particular coach Gillian (and also her super sis coach Shell in Glasgow) have been incredibly engaging. Running 5 zoom sessions weekly between them..our daughter wouldn’t miss them for the world. Over to her words now...’I’d be lost without the zoom sessions..Coach Gill has thought me things I thought I couldn’t do ..she cares for me and my development & she has made me the player that I am today..I’m very grateful for her feedback (and also to Coach Shell too 💕)

Barry & Eimear Lynch

Kira Lynch Meteors BC

Hoop skool is a fantastic concept set up by the most hard working and dedicated person, Coach Gillian. Before hoopskool basketball was team practice and drills. Since Hoop Skool the main benefit has been focused individual training and techniques, along with a mindset for determination on improving. Our favourite programme is the Halloween and Easter camps. I would not hesitate to recommend Hoop Skool, it has been an amazing experience for both my sons, they have met lots of basketball players from different schools and clubs. The knowledge they have received from guest coaches has been extremely valuable, not just for on the court. I am delighted that my sons have the opportunity to experience Hoop Skool, it has been an extremely positive part of their teenage years.

Andrea O'Halloran

Parent of Aaron O' Halloran

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Contact Us

Place of Registration : Ireland
Head Quarters : Dublin, Ireland

Registration for 2026/2027 Season
Current Members June 1st 2026
New Members - July 1st 2026