[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter a successful first run last year, the DCU Basketball Mixed 3v3 Tournament is returning next Tuesday with a slight twist, as the club have partnered with the MELLIE Project.
Building on last year’s successful tournament format, aimed at giving everyone a go at basketball and building a relaxed, fun atmosphere around the tournament, the Club are encouraging teams of friends to band together and get involved once more – and now, thanks to the MELLIE partnership, there will be one MELLIE student assigned to each team.
“The Migrant English Language, Literacy and Intercultural Education (MELLIE) Project was designed for welcoming asylum seekers and refugees into the DCU community, including English language and culture learning,” the club explained.
“It is envisaged that through shared contact, migrants will improve their English, gain a better understanding of Irish culture, and potentially make new friends.
“We believe that having the migrants at our tournament will give them an opportunity to meet new people, as of this is each team will have one migrant on their team.
“This tournament is a bit different, but we believe that both the people of DCU and the Migrants of Mosney will both hugely benefit from the experience, it all about having putting yourself out there, meeting new people and having a bit of craic playing basketball.”
Twenty teams of three or four players competed last year, when Horhac’s Angels came away with the overall victory.
Their captain, Kevin O’Hanlon, emphasised how beneficial the tournament was for him, saying that it was “great to get away from the stress” of exam time.
Teams entering must include one man, one woman, and one person with no basketball experience.
The entry fee costs €5, and teams can register using the link on the “DCU Basketball March Madness 3v3 tournament 2018” event page.
Alex Dunne
Image Credit: Mark Carroll