Creating Opportunity Through Basketball
The Cleveland Project expands opportunity through education and sport, empowering young athletes in Cleveland and Northern Ireland. We develop school-aged youth in Northern Ireland through basketball coaching, competition, and mentorship, using sport to foster growth and cross-community engagement. We support Cleveland’s student-athletes with postgraduate scholarships, enabling them to continue their education and playing careers overseas—while also serving as coaches and mentors in the Northern Ireland basketball program. Through the Ohio tax credit initiative, we provide educational resources for disadvantaged youth in Cleveland, ensuring brighter futures through access to opportunity.
By bridging basketball, education, and opportunity across Cleveland and Northern Ireland, The Cleveland Project opens doors for young people to grow as athletes, scholars, and leaders—creating a future where talent and ambition are never limited by circumstance.
"I love, I LOVE coaching enthusiastic kids! And the Cleveland Project has been very successful at getting school kids to be enthusiastic about basketball. I’m so happy to be part of this program to help these kids further themselves mentally and physically."
— Coach Kelvin Troy
Rutgers University '77-'81, Basketball Ireland Hall of Fame inductee
The Cleveland Project
In fours years, our programme has exploded. Year 5 will be even bigger.
🏀 Cleveland Project Schools Programme — Term 2 is Underway! 🏀
Term 2 of the 2025/2026 Cleveland Project Schools Programme tips off this week, with 8 exciting weeks ahead as schools prepare for our end-of-term Blitzes and Schools Cups at Lisburn Racquets.
From Primary 7 through Secondary Year 9 & Year 10, players and coaches will be training, competing, and building towards some fantastic showcase events to close out the term.
Best of luck to all our school players and coaches as the hard work begins. We can’t wait to see the progress, teamwork, and passion on display over the coming weeks
#TheClevelandProject #SchoolsProgramme #Term2 #BasketballInSchools
Jan 8
After an incredible weekend of semi-final wins for Cleveland Rockets and Phoenix Men, it was straight back to reality on Monday morning 🏀📚
Fresh from hitting the last-minute layup that sealed the win, Connor Mason swapped the big stage for the school gym, returning to the Cleveland Schools Programme to inspire the next generation.
Here’s hoping the boys and girls went a little easy on him after such a huge moment… though knowing our schools sessions, we’re not so sure! 😄
@clevelandrocketsbasketball @phoenixbasketballni
#TheClevelandProject #ClevelandRockets #PhoenixBasketball #schoolsprogramme Photo by @basketball_ireland
Jan 6
Every corner of Lisburn Racquets Club was in use this Christmas Camp 🏀
One-on-ones, non-stop games, and shooting drills took over every inch of the court — energy high, baskets flying, and plenty of smiles all round. It was the perfect way to get ready for the New Year… even if a few coaches were still shaking off the Christmas sofa and snack season 😅
A brilliant way to finish the year and roll straight into 2026 with momentum, laughter, and a whole lot of basketball ❤️🏀
Dec 30
🎄✨ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all of us at The Cleveland Project! ✨🎄
To all our parents, players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters — thank you for being such an important part of our journey this year.
Your commitment, encouragement, and belief in what we do make a real difference every single day. Together, you help The Cleveland Project continue creating opportunity, building confidence, and using basketball to bring young people and communities together.
We hope you enjoy a well-earned break, time with loved ones, and a joyful festive season. Here’s to an exciting New Year ahead, full of growth, teamwork, and new opportunities on and off the court. 🏀❤️
Dec 25
🎄🏀 Cleveland Christmas Draw – Winners Announcement! 🏀🎄
A huge congratulations to our winners:
🥇 First Prize: Gerry & Margaret Crossin
🥈 Second Prize: Catherine Dolliver
Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and supported The Cleveland Project. Your generosity makes a real difference.
Because of you, we can continue to reach more than 7,000 young people every year — breaking down barriers, fostering inclusion, and building bridges across cultures through basketball.
💙 Together, we’re creating opportunity where it matters most.
👉 Find out more at: clevelandproject.com
Dec 21
🎄🏀 Christmas Basketball Camp! 🏀🎄
The perfect way for kids to have fun, make friends, and get ready for the new year! 🚀
Join us at Lisburn Racquets Club, Mon 29 – Wed 31 Dec, 10AM–1PM, for three days of high-energy coaching, games, and holiday buzz. Kids always leave camp smiling, more confident, and excited to play more basketball!
👥 Ages 7–18
💷 £45
🏀 Powered by Hard 2 Guard and The Cleveland Project
✨ GIRLS’ ROCKETS!
If numbers allow, we’re adding a dedicated girls’ court — bring your friends and let’s make it happen!
Spots are limited — book now: link in bio.
Let’s finish the year strong and hit 2026 flying! 🚀❤️
#TheClevelandProject #ChristmasCamp #YouthBasketball
Dec 10
🎄🏀 THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE BALLER IN YOUR LIFE! 🏀🎄
Struggling to find something they’ll actually love?
Gift them the chance to win a TRIP OF A LIFETIME with our Cleveland Project Christmas Draw!
For just £20, you could make their basketball dreams come true…
and support youth basketball across NI at the same time.
FIRST PRIZE
🏀 2x Corporate Courtside Seats — Cavs vs Lakers, 28 Jan 2026
✈️ Return flights for two
🏨 3 nights hotel
🎿 2 days skiing at Holiday Valley
SECOND PRIZE
📺 Brand new 43” TV
📅 Draw: 20 Dec 2025
🏀 Half-time — Rockets vs Dublin Raiders
📍 Lisburn Racquets Club
🎟️ Buy a ticket for the baller in your life — or treat yourself!
👉 link in bio
Make this Christmas unforgettable. 🎅💥
Dec 8
🎄🏀 Christmas Basketball Camp! 🏀🎄
The perfect way to get ready for the new year!
Join us at Lisburn Racquets Club from Mon 29 – Wed 31 Dec, 10AM–1PM for three days of high-energy coaching, skills, games and fun!
👥 Ages 7-18
💷 Only £45
🏀 Powered by Hard 2 Guard
✨ GIRLS’ ROCKETS!
If numbers allow, we’re adding a dedicated girls’ court — so bring your friends and let’s make it happen!
Spots are limited — scan the QR code/link in bio and book now!
Let’s finish the year strong and hit 2026 flying! 🚀❤️
#TheClevelandProject #ChristmasCamp #BasketballNI
Dec 2
Almost 200 boys and girls came together today for our Year 8 End-of-Term Blitz, turning Lisburn Racquets into an absolute hive of activity 🐝🏀
Huge thank you to our brilliant coaches who kept everything running so smoothly throughout the day — we couldn’t do it without you! 🙌
Here’s to another fantastic blitz in the books!
And Happy Thanksgiving to all our US partners and friends! 🧡🇺🇸
#TheClevelandProject #Year8Blitz #BasketballNI #irishbasketball
Nov 27
🎉 Meet Our 2025 U14 Cleveland All Stars! ⭐️🏀
After a competitive set of trials, we’re excited to reveal this year’s Boys and Girls All Star line-ups!
Huge congratulations to every athlete selected — you’ve earned your spot, and you now represent the top basketball talent in NI across all clubs. 💥🔥
This group shows exactly what The Cleveland Project is all about:
🌍 Bringing young people together
🏀 Creating opportunity through basketball
💫 And celebrating the next generation of stars
We’re so proud of you all — and trust us… there’s BIG news coming soon 👀
#ClevelandProject #ClevelandAllStars #irishbasketball @queensbasketballbelfast @belfaststar1964 @uu_tigers @tyrone.towers @phoenixbasketballni @magherafelttitans @bcwolves
Nov 25
The agony. The ecstasy. The pure Primary 5 magic. 🏀✨
This week’s blitz had everything — the highs, the heartbreaks and the moments of courage that remind us why this project exists.
Across Northern Ireland, children from different communities and backgrounds came together to learn, grow, compete, and cheer each other on. Under the watchful gaze of our very special team of coaches, the drama unfolded one play at a time. Who needs the NBA when you’ve got this level of emotion and excitement? 😅🔥
Basketball is just the sport — but what happens around it is where the real magic lies. These young athletes show us what cross-community connection looks like: teamwork, respect, and joy shared across every lane, line, and lay-up.
Huge thanks to Rolandas Bartkus, whose incredible photographs capture the heart of the Cleveland Project — young people coming together through basketball, building confidence, friendships, and opportunity. 📸❤️
Nov 21
🎄✨ WIN A TRIP OF A LIFETIME! ✨🎄
Our CLEVELAND PROJECT CHRISTMAS DRAW is LIVE!
For just £20, you could be heading to the USA for the ultimate Cavs experience… AND a ski adventure! ❄️⛷️
🔥 FIRST PRIZE 🔥
🏀 2 x Corporate Courtside Seats
Cavs vs Lakers — 28 Jan 2026
✈️ Return flights for 2
🏨 3 nights hotel
🎿 2-day ski trip to Holiday Valley
🎁 SECOND PRIZE
📺 43” Flat Screen TV
📅 Draw: 20 Dec 2025
🏀 Half-time — Rockets vs Dublin Raiders
📍 Lisburn Racquets Club
🎟️ ENTER NOW:
👉 link in bio (choose ‘Don’t Support Collctiv’ at checkout - so that all proceeds go to the project)
Every ticket supports our mission to create opportunity through basketball. 💙🏀
Get in early! 🎅💥
Nov 19
Cleveland-Northern Ireland International Basketball Academy. A company limited by guarantee and registered in Northern Ireland (NI729028).
Registered Office: 15 English Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6AP
