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.
🏀 The countdown is on! 🇺🇸
Next week our Cleveland All-Stars will be heading to Ohio for an unforgettable basketball and cultural experience.
Just some of the highlights waiting for them:
🔥 Games against top local teams from Olmsted Falls High School, St. Edward High School, Lakewood High School, Avon Lake High School, The National Basketball Academy and Magnificat High School.
🏀 Training and competition at the renowned St. Edward High School
🌊 A day at the lake and beach house
🎢 Cedar Point – one of the world`s most famous rollercoaster parks
🏡 BBQs, pool time and making memories with friends from across the Atlantic
🤝 Building friendships and connections through basketball
This is so much more than a basketball trip. It`s an opportunity to experience American culture, learn from new coaches and players, and represent Northern Ireland on an international stage.
The trip of a lifetime is nearly here! ❤️
@magnificat_high_school @ofcsdistrict @lkwdschools @avonlakehighschool @wearesteds_
#ClevelandProject #ClevelandAllStars #BasketballWithoutBorders #CreatingOpportunityThroughBasketball
Jun 15
🏀 P6 Blitz Look Back | 1 June at Lisburn Racquets 🏀
What a fantastic day of basketball at our P6 Blitz on 1 June at Lisburn Racquets! 🙌
It was brilliant to see so many young players showcasing their skills and love for the game.
A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, volunteers and schools who helped make the event such a success.
📸 Special thanks once again to Rolandas Bartkus for capturing so many great moments throughout the day. We are incredibly grateful for the time and effort he puts into providing these fantastic photographs that allow us to relive the memories and celebrate our players’ achievements.
Check out some of the highlights from a brilliant day of basketball! Link in bio ⛹️♀️⛹️♂️
#P6Blitz #FutureStars #clevelandproject
Jun 12
What a fantastic day we had at the Year 8 Blitz on 29 May at Lisburn Racquets Club! Every player gave it their all making it a day to remember.
A massive thank you to @rolandasbartkus_ for capturing all the action. These photos tell the story far better than words ever could!
Well done to all the players, teachers and coaches who brought the energy and made it such a brilliant day. Have a scroll through and see if you can spot yourself! Link in bio 📸🏀
#TheClevelandProject #Year8Blitz #BasketballNI #SchoolBasketball
Jun 9
🏀 P4 Schools Blitz – A Day to Remember! 🏀
What a fantastic day at Lisburn Racquets as we welcomed our P4 players for their Schools Blitz!
For many of these children, this was their very first experience of competitive basketball. Having only recently started playing the game, stepping onto the court, representing their school, and competing against other teams was a huge milestone.
Our coaches took extra care throughout the day, providing guidance, encouragement, and support to help every child feel confident and enjoy the experience. While many were new to basketball, they still got to experience the excitement, teamwork, and thrill that comes with playing in a competitive game environment.
As this event marks the final Schools Blitz of the year, we`d like to extend a huge thank you to all the schools, children, teachers, and coaches who have supported and participated throughout the programme.
Most importantly, thank you to our funders. Your support makes it possible for us to introduce more children to basketball and provide opportunities for them to learn, grow, compete, and develop a lifelong love of sport.
We can`t wait to see many of these young players back on the court again soon! 🏀💙
#SchoolsBlitz #FutureStars #BasketballForAll
Jun 5
🏀 That`s a wrap for our Primary 6 Blitzes! 🏀
Today marked the final P6 Schools Blitz of this school year.
The effort and sportsmanship shown by every school has been outstanding. Whether competing in games, taking part in workshops or cheering on teammates, every player played their part in making these blitzes such a success.
A huge thank you to Kieran Cooper from Focused Hub, a fantastic supporter of The Cleveland Project, for joining us today and helping celebrate the achievements of our young players. We are incredibly grateful for the support of individuals and organisations who share our vision of creating opportunities for young people through basketball.
And we`re not quite finished yet...
🏀 One more day to go as we welcome our Primary 4 players for the final blitz of the week tomorrow!
Let`s finish Blitz Week in style! 🔥
#TheClevelandProject #CreatingOpportunityThroughBasketball #SchoolsBasketball
Jun 4
🏀 "It`s the best thing some of these kids have got out of their first two years at school." 🏀
Wow. What a statement from Michael, PE Teacher at Saintfield High School.
This year was Saintfield High`s first experience of basketball through The Cleveland Project, and what a journey it has been. From their first training sessions to blitzes at Lisburn Racquets and even a trip to Dublin, the progress has been incredible.
But for Michael, it`s about much more than basketball.
It`s about giving every child a chance to belong, take part and have fun. Whether they`re the tallest or the smallest in the class, basketball creates opportunities for everyone to get involved, build confidence and be part of something special.
Thank you to Michael and all the staff at Saintfield High for embracing the programme and helping so many young people discover a love for the game.
#TheClevelandProject #CreatingOpportunityThroughBasketball #SchoolsBasketball
Jun 3
🏀 What a start to Blitz Week! 🏀
The courts have been buzzing with energy and excitement as hundreds of young players have come together to compete and have fun.
A huge thank you to Rolandas Bartkus for capturing the action so brilliantly.
And the best part? We`re not finished yet! There’s still more basketball, more memories and more blitz action to come this week.
#TheClevelandProject #BlitzWeek #SchoolsBasketball #CreatingOpportunityThroughBasketball
Jun 3
🏀 RECORD BREAKING DAY! 🏀
What. A. Day.
A huge congratulations to all the Primary 6 pupils who took part in our biggest-ever Schools Blitz! An incredible 398 children and 11 coaches came together for a fantastic day of basketball, learning, teamwork and fun.
Alongside the games, players took part in specialist workshops covering:
✅ Dribbling
✅ Passing
✅ Footwork
✅ Shooting
The effort and enthusiasm on display from every school was outstanding.
A massive thank you must go to Fearghal Eastwood, whose support made today`s event possible. We are incredibly grateful for his sponsorship and for taking the time to present the medals and celebrate the achievements of all our young players.
Days like this show the power of sport to bring young people together, build confidence that will last a lifetime.
As Breda says: "the most important thing is takig part!"
Well done everyone! 🏆🏀👏
#TheClevelandProject #SchoolsBasketball #RecordBreakingBlitz #Primary6Basketball #CreatingOpportunityThroughBasketball #FutureStars #BasketballNI
Jun 2