Being part of the Basketball Team

This weeks post is written by Leleese, a second year A-level student and sports ambassador. Leleese has been heavily involved in sport throughout her time in college and is a key team player in the women’s basketball team. This post highlights how basketball has made a difference amd shaped Leleese’s time at Leyton Sixth Form College.

Being a part of the basketball team has affected my college experience in such a drastic and positive way, that I wouldn’t change it for anything else. From the very beginning of my college basketball experience from previously playing basketball in secondary, it has affected my love for the sport and the skill immensely. With a fantastic coach from the very beginning, one of my teammates in first year becoming our second coach this year as well as becoming a strong family, being a part of this team has become my life.

The sport helps to balance the stress of my A levels, always giving me something to look forward to at the end of the long Monday timetable, Wednesday match days and Thursday and Friday sessions. I did not expect to make a whole team of friends or to improve my game so much, but because of my team and coaches I was able to do so. Being family outside of basketball has created chemistry on the court, and improve as a team. Being a part of the team has given me a sense of self-motivation I have never really grasped before and has always made me strive to improve, listen and work to the best of my ability.

From the very beginning in first year, I barely knew some of the basic skills of the sport, but through my experienced coach that made all sessions productive, focused and fun, by the end of the year I went to knowing barely nothing to knowing strategic defenses like box-one and zone-defense, as well as offence: four-high and five-out. Every section of basketball was covered, some sessions including game play, some to improve our dribbling and some to improve our fitness. Once only playing for a few minutes and now able to run and play a full game because of the training we receive. I am very grateful to have been and be a part of the team throughout my college experience and hope to continue basketball in university and will definitely be continued as a hobby.

Leleese Francis-Lewis