THE SHORTAGE of basketball coaches and referees is drawing to a close. A training course has already produced up to 50 young people to work in schools as coaches and referees. Now Dublin Basketball Services, formed to develop basketball in Dublin school, is recruiting again through FAS for its fourth six-month course. Up to 16 recruits will start training at the beginning of next month and in September a fifth course gets under way.

Young people aged between 16 and 26 from anywhere in the country are welcome to apply to their local FAS office - the reference is BA 52K. The course, a Community Youth Training programme, involves coaching and refereeing, along with first-aid, physiology, life-skills, teaching skills and aerobics. Work experience is an important part of the course, says DBS director Kieran Mills. This year six mobile baskets were imported from the United States and over the summer they will be used to promote the game in inner city areas. Trainees will also be involved in coaching days and tournaments for primary and secondary school children.

After six months they graduate with up to 20 different certificates from a number of bodies, such as City & Guilds, the Irish Basketball Association and a number of other associations involved in standards and certification in sporting areas.

The employability of those who complete the course is "much enhanced," says Mills. DBS trainees generally get work around Dublin. They are also in demand for primary school which have no physical education classes, says Mills.