Founded in response to a growing need for children in Galway City to have a place to play basketball, Titans Basketball Club has grown into one of the most diverse and inclusive sporting organisations in the country. Discover its story below...
Every great club has its origin story, but few begin with something as simple as a group of children looking for somewhere to belong.
In the early 2000s, basketball opportunities in Galway city were limited, with clubs traditionally based in places such as Moycullen and Oranmore/Maree. A group of young people were coming together to play basketball on an outdoor court in Westside. They loved the game, but there was one problem, there was no basketball club in the city for them to join.
above: photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
That small group of players would go on to become the foundation of Titans Basketball Club, which was officially founded in 2004 and has since grown into one of the most diverse and inclusive sporting organisations in the country.
The club’s growth has been driven by volunteers who have given countless hours to developing players, organising teams and creating opportunities for others. Among those volunteers are Joe Coughlan and Jack Considine, two coaches whose connection with Titans stretches back to the club’s earliest days. “At the first training session we had 8 kids and 15 coaches,” Joe says. “The following week we had 32 kids, and the next week we had 108. It’s been growing ever since.”
Today, Titans represents more than 20 nationalities and provides basketball opportunities for boys and girls U6 right through to over 60’s, with teams at every stage in between, including four senior local teams and a men’s national league team, which the club hopes will soon be joined by a women’s national league team. It also runs year-round camps, social basketball programmes, a wheelchair basketball team, Titans Wheelers, the first wheelchair basketball team established west of the Shannon, and initiatives supporting children and families facing social, educational or economic challenges.
That inclusive approach has been built around the club’s belief that basketball is about people as much as it is about sport. “Our values are huge,” Joe says. “We believe in people, we believe in difference. We create a space which allows whatever needs to happen to happen.”
“It’s a lot easier sometimes to pick the ten best players and forget about everybody else,” Jack says. “The hard work comes in trying to keep everyone involved. I think a lot of credit would have to go to Joe for making sure we stay true to those values.”
That commitment has seen Titans work with organisations including the HSE, COPE, Solas FRC, Foróige, Galway Sports Partnership, Galway County Council, Special Olympics Ireland and Galway City Council, while also welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and families new to Ireland through programmes such as OWL (One World Ladies) basketball.
The club’s success on the court has followed the same upward trajectory. Last year, Titans’ U20 men made history by becoming the first team in the country to win the U20 National League and National Cup Double at that level. The club also has 17 players who have represented Ireland at underage level, culminating in Declan Gbinigie becoming the first active Titans player selected for a senior Irish squad.
above: photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Jack, who currently coaches the U20 men, was part of that historic success and was recognised as Underage Coach of the Year following the team’s undefeated season. “It was an incredibly talented group, a once-in-a-generation level of players,” he says. “We still had to go out and beat whoever was in front of us. It took a lot of hard work, and they delivered on the big days.”
However, for both coaches, the greatest rewards are not trophies or medals. They are the moments that happen away from the scoreboard. Asked why he continues to volunteer his time after so many years, Joe points to the impact the club has on people’s lives. “Seeing young people enjoy themselves and grow in confidence is what makes it all worthwhile,” he says. “It gives me joy to watch other people enjoying themselves and watching parents enjoying their kids play.”
Jack shares the same belief. “It’s massively rewarding. I get to share experiences with people that I care about deeply and help people,” he says. “The paychecks are kids coming back ten years later saying, ‘Thank you for being my coach when I was having a hard time.’”
More than 140 people now contribute to the running of the club, whether coaching, managing teams, fundraising, transporting players or helping behind the scenes. Their dedication is one of the major things that separates Titans from many other clubs.
Yet despite everything the club has achieved, there remains one major challenge: finding a permanent home. With teams currently using several different venues across Galway, the dream is to have a dedicated space where the entire Titans community can come together. “We’ll never really be a proper club until we have our own home,” says Jack. Joe adds, “We’ve built a basketball community, and we’d like to think that someone would back basketball now and help us find our own space which allows Titans to continue to grow.”
From a handful of children on a Westside court to players representing Ireland, Titans’ story is one built on belief, inclusion and the power of volunteers. A reminder that sports clubs can be more than just places to play; they are where people find identity and belonging in a community that feels like home.
To be part of the next chapter of Titans’ journey, learn more, and get involved visit titans.ie.
Feature photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige.
Photos courtesy Titans Basketball Club
