LUXEMBOURG (Luxembourg) - Large participation from across the continent marked European Mini Basketball’s 2025 get-together on its tenth anniversary.
No fewer than 35 European countries were represented in the 10th edition of the European Mini Basketball Convention, hosted successfully by the Luxembourg Basketball Federation (FLBB) with the active support of FIBA Europe and the FIBA Foundation, from June 5 to June 8.
The Convention’s main aim was to provide the 92 delegates - coaches and organisers from various European federations - with the tools to successfully introduce basketball to children in the 5-12 age group, while educating them on the importance of health and well-being habits.
Its structure combines theoretical and practical sessions that are delivered by accomplished tutors and all Luxembourg-based Mini Basketball coaches joined the delegates for the on-court sessions.
Meanwhile 39 coaches who had embarked on the FIBA Europe Mini Basketball Coaching Course (FEMBCC) during the 2024 convention in Denmark concluded the course in Luxembourg, as the coaching program's start and graduation were aligned with the convention for yet another year.
Luxembourg’s Minister for Sport and Labour, Georges Mischo, joined FIBA Executive Director Kamil Novak and FLBB Secretary General Pit Rodenbourg on a tour of the convention activities, in a demonstration of the important institutional support that the 10th edition of the event received.
"Every edition of the Mini Basketball Convention has been a significant step, but this 10th event was special because it encapsulated the progress we have made in a decade. It also underscored FIBA Europe’s continued support to our National Federations in their efforts to grow participation among this age group, and to introduce basketball to children in a way that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Such a special edition needed a special host and the Luxembourg Basketball Federation could not have been more successful in that role,” said Mr. Novak.
"On behalf of the FLBB, I sincerely thank FIBA Europe for the opportunity to host the Mini Basketball Convention in Luxembourg. It was an inspiring event that highlighted the importance of grassroots development, and we are proud to have contributed to this shared mission," commented FLBB President Samy Picard.
Special guests at the Convention included Theren Bullock Jr., Head of FIBA Foundation, and Miroslaw Krogulec, Vice President, Sports and Organizational Development for Europe/Eurasia Regional Office from the Special Olympics movement.
As a special treat, the delegates were given the chance to attend the famed Mini Europe in Esch/Alzette, the international U14 boys and girls tournamentwhich has entered its fourth decade and is one of the longest-running annual European tournaments in this age group.
A keynote presentation of Hoops 4 Schools, the FIBA Europe-led program that was developed with Erasmus Funding, was also part of the many parallel activities during the convention.
FIBA