Top 5 things Irish Schools & Clubs should know when buying Basketball Units
Basketball, as one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland requires appropriate facilities. Irish Schools & Sports Centres/Halls over the last 10 years have often approach us for advice on installing basketball goals and units in their sports hall. We believe that the following 5 factors, ultimately, decide what Basketball Goals a sports venue will have.
1. Sports Hall Construction.
The design of your sports centre will decide what basketball goals are the most adequate for your sports hall. In order for your facility to take a ceiling or roof mounted basketball system you’ll need to have sufficient steelwork at roof level. For wall mounted basketball goals you’ll need blockwork capable of taking the load (the wall must be of suitable strength to support a load of 200 kg on a cantilever arm of 4 m extension from the wall at a height of 4 metres.)
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2. Competition Level.
This factor plays a critical part in deciding what basketball units will best suit your venue. Some venues host national super league or International matches, but most halls will play to schools competitions and incorporate practice goals basketball. Mobile basketball goals, wall or ceiling mounted systems can be provided for each level.
3. Budget.
As a general rule “Wall” as opposed to “Ceiling” mounted basketball units are the least expensive solution. The wall units can be in a fixed play position or could be either side or vertically folding to the wall when not in use, to avoid interfering with other activities.
4. Age Group
Coming to a decision on what groups and ages will actually be playing determines the design of the units required. In a junior or national school the ring height would be set to 8′ 6″for players up to 13 years, senior level ring height is 10ft. Our goals can be fixed and made to suit one height. Alternatively, we can make the units with a lifting/lowering device to allow play at both heights. 
5. Manual or electrically operated basketball system.
The decision here relates to the basketball system being either manually operated via a winch system or an electronic system which will raise and lower your units into place. Naturally the manual system is the more economically option but the electronic option is the preferred choice.
Contact Fitness Functions.
If you require need us to call out to your Sports Hall or require additional, basketball sets, basketball rings or backboard information please do not hesitate to contact us, email our marketing manager; niall@fitnessfunctions.ie or visit or website www.fitnessfunctions.ie. We look forward to hearing from you.
