Wales Unveils Exciting New Youth Basketball Performance Program
Basketball Wales is excited to introduce a comprehensive overhaul of its youth performance pathway. This new program is designed to provide unparalleled development opportunities for players, coaches, and support staff, ultimately benefiting the entire basketball community in Wales.
What’s New?
Under the leadership of the Performance Director, Performance Panel, and the newly appointed Performance Programme Manager, the focus will be on skill development and expanding the 3X3 game.
This innovative approach aims to create a more holistic and evidence-based system for developing athletes, allowing them to learn crucial off-court skills. The performance programme will operate a two-tier youth system for the 2024/25 season, using an innovative athlete monitoring system to develop and track players.
Key changes:
Academic Squads:
- Boys: 25-30 players aged U13 to U17
- Girls: 25-30 players aged U13 to U18
Development Squads:
- Boys: 25-30 players aged U13 to U17
- Girls: 25-30 players aged U13 to U18
New 3×3 Performance Program (Details coming soon)
U20 Men’s Squad: New addition for the 2024/25 season
Expanded Senior Women’s Squad: This squad includes players from the U18, U19, and U20 age groups.
On-Court and Off-court Training:
The Academy squads will focus on core basketball skills, such as shooting, point guard play, game management, and defence. These sessions will be complemented by educational online courses covering essential off-court topics, including nutrition, anti-doping, injury prevention, safeguarding, and overall well-being.
This holistic approach ensures players develop technical skills and gain valuable knowledge to support their athletic and personal growth.
Development squads, consisting mainly of 15-20 players with the potential to step up to the Academy squads, will similarly emphasise skill development by regularly meeting throughout the season, focusing on skill development and online educational sessions. This will reinforce the importance of a well-rounded approach to athlete development.
Trials will determine selection for the Academy and Development squads. However, players can move between the two teams during the season. Players in development squads can also be considered for selection for national teams.
Innovative Athlete Monitoring: Basketball Wales is introducing a state-of-the-art athlete monitoring system to enhance player development. This technology will allow coaches to track player progress more effectively, providing data-driven insights to tailor training programs and ensure optimal development pathways.
Exciting Opportunities: Wales is committed to fielding competitive teams in the U14, U15 and U17 age groups for the upcoming Home Nations event next summer. Additionally, teams will participate in various 5v5 competitions and friendly matches, offering players numerous opportunities to showcase their talents and gain valuable game experience.
Coach and Support Staff Development: The new program strongly emphasises the development of coaches and support staff. By fostering a collaborative and shared learning environment, Basketball Wales aims to spread knowledge and develop a distinct Welsh style of play, enhancing the current coaching standards and ensuring a sustainable and thriving basketball community nationwide.
Financial Boost: Basketball Wales has secured crucial financial support from Sport Wales for the next three years. This funding will enable the performance program to set more ambitious objectives, drive significant improvements, and ensure the necessary resources are available to support players, coaches, and support staff effectively. With this financial backing, we can all look forward to a bright future for basketball in Wales.
Insights from our leadership team:
Performance Director Phil Gordos shared his excitement: “The changes we are making will benefit players, coaches, and support staff as well as the wider basketball community in Wales as we aim to create a comprehensive development program that addresses on-court and off-court growth.”
Gordos thanked the panel for their hard work, expertise, and passion over the past six months, which significantly impacted the game. He emphasised, “The Sport Wales support is a game-changer for the performance programme as it will allow us to bring in paid staff to fully drive the programme forward and enable us to use the resources at our disposal better. Recruiting a Performance Programme Manager will ensure we keep standards high and ease the pressure on the amazing army of volunteers we have relied on for many years.” Gordos concluded by touching on the positive news of having three Wales players representing Great Britain at FIBA Youth EuroBasket tournaments. The larger performance panel aims to increase that number significantly in the coming years.
Chief Operating Officer Gavin Williams also highlighted his enthusiasm: “We are very excited to launch our new performance programme. This fresh approach will ensure players, coaches, and support staff work in a performance environment catering to their individual needs.” Williams added, “This fresh approach will ensure a sustainable and thriving basketball community across the country.”
Looking Ahead:
The Performance Panel will continue to work closely with the British Basketball Federation and the other Home Nations to help shape the game’s development across England, Scotland and Wales.
FAQs
Why is there a difference in age range between the Academy squads for Boys and Girls?
The Girls’ Academy squad age range is extended to allow older age-group teams in the Home Nations events.
- When and where will trials take place?
Trials will occur in the South and North at the end of August. More information will be released soon.
- How will the U20 Men’s program work?
Details are being finalised, but sessions and camps will focus on post-season development, with games at U18 and U20 levels.
- What qualities or skills are you looking for in a player?
All players attending trials will be informed about the selection process to maximise their opportunities. More details will be shared soon.
- When will selection for the Home Nations take place?
Skill development sessions will be held until February, after which team training will become the focus.
- Which coaches will be involved with the Academy and Development squads?
The coaching recruitment process is ongoing. Coaches must deliver high-standard skills training.
- Can players be added to an Academy or Development squad during the season?
Yes. We will collaborate with club coaches to identify and monitor talent throughout the season. Players can move between squads or be removed from the program as necessary.
- Is there a cost to attend training for Academy and Development players?
Yes. Details will be announced soon. Sport Wales’ funding will support the program, but players will still have to pay for training and tournaments.
- Is there a Hardship Fund from which players and parents can seek financial support?
Yes. Details will follow soon.
