BASKETBALL: A new season of the men's Superleague will be launched this afternoon in Dublin with the National Cup draw also taking place.

Several new initiatives will be rolled out, including a new Basketball Ireland website, improved regional development plans and, most interestingly, a new format which will make the All Star game ( including a women's match for the first time), a regular occurrence on the sporting calendar.

The All Star game looks like the best tool Basketball Ireland possess to advertise the sport to a wider audience.

The timing of it, potentially in early January, will be crucial in receiving media and public attention. Television coverage for the event would also be a massive, albeit unlikely, bonus.

As Irish basketball's international campaign clashes with the GAA's All-Ireland finals, it is buried in the national media. There were two home matches this season but RTÉ only televised the comprehensive defeat to Romania.

A round of women's pre-season fixtures take place in DCU this weekend. The university has lent its name to women's Superleague side DCU Mercy for the upcoming season, following the example of UCC Demons, UL Aughinish and UCD Marian.

St Vincent's CBS are hosting a men's tournament from 11am this Saturday, with Killester, Star of the Sea and UCD Marian expected to attend.

Schools will also be represented at the launch, where the All-Ireland Cup will be highlighted as the sport's biggest domestic tournament, with 310 teams entering this year.

The finals will take place at the National Basketball Arena in February.