Adam Philpott recalled his unique opportunity to play basketball overseas as part of the New England Colonials during his student days in Gloucester.
The experience was so rewarding that Philpott returns next spring as a coach.
Philpott is formulating a list of secondary school students to play in Ireland during the April school holidays. The 10-day tour includes visits and matches will be played in Dublin, Oranmore, Drogheda and Belfast.
“It’s something I was lucky enough to do as a player in my first year at Gloucester,” said Philpott, the boys’ basketball coach at Gloucester High. “We had the chance to play in Ireland and Scotland and it was a great experience. We stayed with host families there and it was a great opportunity for me. The hospitality was top notch and I stayed in touch with several people of the time.”
New England Colonials International is a non-profit, volunteer-run program founded in 1979. Its primary purpose is to support and encourage international friendship and understanding between New England student-athletes and their peers across the country. whole world. The Irish tour will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland.
The tour itinerary will be developed by NEC International’s ITMI Certified International Tour Manager. The Ireland 2023 squad will consist of 10 players and two adult coaches. NEC’s fundraising consultant will help players raise funds to cover their travel expenses.
“We’re working on building a roster,” said Philpott, who played college basketball at Bates as team captain in 2014-15. “It’s open to everyone in grades 9-12 and we hope interest will increase once we’re all back in school.”
To request the Tour of Ireland 2023 PowerPoint, players and parents are encouraged to contact Philpott via email at [email protected]. Players must obtain parental permission to request the PowerPoint.
