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.)
Fitness Functions offer a free consultation service to determine your requirements *
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.
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.
Fitness Functions have supplied countless main contractors in recent years with Outdoor Basketball sets for new build Irish schools & colleges which conform to the Department of Education Outdoor Specifications. As we manufacture these sets in our premises in Co. Carlow, they’re always in stock and ready to ship directly to site.
Outdoor Basketball (PEO/150) parts list (c/w)
- ground socket (2)
- insert caps (2)
- upright 88.9mm pole (2)
- extension arm with board bracket (2)
- 4ft x 3ft back board (2)
- heavy duty ring and net (2)
- protective padding (2) (optional)
- pack fixings & safety labels (optional)
Basketball Sockets Ordering & Delivery.
When a Builder places on order for a Basketball set (s) we organise delivery to site. These basketball sockets are often required on short notice especially if theresa new asphalt basketball court involved that no one wants to dig up !!
Outdoor School Basketball Installation Guidelines
Install ground sockets at correct locations. If basketball court is unmarked check with architect or client for clarification. Each basketball socket requires hole size of min 500mm diameter and approximately 900mm depth. Ensure the basketball socket is set level with ground after installation. Concrete should be painted after installation. Vital: it is essential that ground sockets are correctly installed to ensure basketball poles are upright.
Court size; sockets should be set 28m apart where possible, but at least 1m from end fences/walls. If necessary reduce court size to allow adequate safety runoff.
Allow basketball sockets to settle for a minimum of 48 hours before assembling the goals. Two men should assemble the units. First place extension arm over the upright, lock the arm to the pole at approximately 4ft.
Now, the board and ring should be attached to the basketball extension arm using the bolts supplied. Ensure the basketball board is level and plumb. Black target box should be towards the bottom of board-top of ring should line up with bottom line of small rectangle box (150mm from bottom of back board).
Using a step ladder and bracing bar, bring the basketball board/arm/ring combination to the correct height. Lock the grub screws/bolts into position using allen key/19mm ratchet.
The correct height from ground of the basketball ring is 10ft for seniors and 8ft6” for juniors.
Ensure all bolts are fully tightened and attach safety warning labels to boards and/or uprights. Finally, attach safety padding (if supplied)
Contact Fitness Functions.
If you have any further queries or require some information regarding installation of outdoor basketball equipment please feel free to contact niall clancy, niall@fitnessfunctions.ie
Ceiling & Cross Court Basketball Goals, Co. Mayo & Tipperary
A Customised Investment.
Basketball units, particularly Ceiling mounted basketball goals are usually the most costly fixed sporting element in a sports hall. As the vast majority of Irish sports hall differ in size, shape and dimensions the basketball units will need to be customised to take in the unique features of each venue.
This was exactly the situation for our most recent basketball installations (May 2013) in Co. Mayo & Tipperary. With the proper care these basketball goals will be used and enjoyed by students for years.
If you require 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 digital marketing manager; niall@fitnessfunctions.ie. We look forward to your email.
During the summer months we always try to complete outdoor sports installations. However given how poor this Irish summer has been we’ve recently completed indoor sports equipment projects for schools & sports centres.
Wall Mounted Basketball Units.
St. Marys new community centre, Edgeworthstown, Longford required a number of basketball units. The Community Centre now have 4 no. practice basketball units and 2 no. wall mounted basketball units which can be used and enjoyed for many years to come.
Following on from recent calls and e-mails from Irish National (Primary) Schools enquiring about smaller versions of our full Outdoor Basketball Units. As of today, we’re delighted to announce that we now manufacture basketball goals specifically for national (primary) schools requirements.
These goals are set at a fixed ring height of 8ft 6inches, powder coated or galvanised and completed with safety padding. We still recommend the Department of Education specified basketball goals but appreciate in these economic times that budgetary issues are top of a schools list. These junior basketball goals comply with all the relevant safety standards, as do all our basketball units.
Features of our National Schools Outdoor Basketball:
Less costly than full outdoor basketball goals.
Fixed ring height 8″6′.
Weatherproof boards.
Powder coated/galvanised finish.
Optional Extras.
Installation Service.
Protective Safety Padding.
Board Upgrades: Fibreglass, Steel or Mesh Boards Available.
Customised Boards with School Crest or Artwork of Your Design.
Court Markings for all Sports.
Full Colour Court Painting.
If you should require any further information on these or any of our Basketball Units, please do not hesitate to contact me (niall@fitnessfunctions.ie or lo-call 1890-252-856.
