Monasterevin school names new gym in honour of beloved teacher Tom Collins

ST Paul’s Secondary School in Monasterevin has officially named its new school gym ‘the Tom Collins Memorial Hall’ in honour of the late teacher and basketball coach who made an enduring impact on the school and on competitive basketball in Ireland.

The special ceremony, which took place on Friday 17 October, brought together past pupils, retired staff and family members of the much-loved teacher to celebrate his contribution to school life and to basketball in Ireland.

Tom Collins began teaching at St Paul’s in 1972, when the school was still in its early years. At the time, there were no sports available for girls, so Collins took it upon himself to introduce basketball – a decision that would go on to transform basketball as a sport in Ireland.

“He introduced basketball at a time when girls didn’t really have a sport in the school,” said teacher Martina Behan, who helped organise the event.

Under Tom’s guidance, the St Paul’s girls basketball teams went on to win two All-Ireland titles, in 1985 and 1987. Both of those championship-winning teams were invited back to the school for Friday’s ceremony, where they were honoured and presented with commemorative trophies.

Sadly, Tom Collins passed away in 1997, at just 47 years’ old, but his legacy lived on, both at St Paul’s and beyond. His success with the school’s basketball teams earned him national recognition, and in the early 1990s he was instructed by the Department of Education to promote basketball in schools across Ireland.

The decision to name the new gym in his honour was made by staff as a way of ensuring his contribution would never be forgotten.

St Paul’s moved into its new building two years ago, and while the gym had yet to be named, several staff members felt it was fitting that it should carry Tom’s name.

The event was attended by members of Collins family, including his brothers and sisters, as well as former colleagues and students. Several retired principals were also in attendance, along with the current principal Brian Bergin.

The ceremony included the unveiling of the gym’s new name, with the sign ‘Tom Collins Memorial Hall’ now proudly displayed in black lettering across the wall. The plaque was unveiled by one of Tom’s brothers, alongside former vice-principal Gerry Mahoney, who worked closely with Tom during his time at the school.

Some also said a few words in Mr Collin’s memory, including principal Bergin, Mr Mahoney, Tom’s brother PJ Collins, member of the 1985-87 team Mary Melia and Paul Ryan, a representative of Post-Primary Basketball Ireland.