On August 12th, Sheffield played host to the FIMBA GB Combine, a rigorous event aimed at identifying top talent for the FIMBA GB +50 and +55 Men’s teams.
These teams will represent Great Britain at the 2025 World Championships. The combine was held at the All Saints Sports Centre and featured a series of demanding tests designed to evaluate the players’ skills, endurance, and overall basketball IQ.
The tests at the combine are similar to those found at NBA Combine events, with standards set by world-class sports scientists and coaches. This ensured that the evaluation process was both comprehensive and challenging, pushing each participant to their limits. The six-hour session was intense, pushing each participant to their limits. Despite the grueling nature of the combine, all players demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill. The tests included various drills to assess shooting accuracy, defensive capabilities, agility, and teamwork. Each player had the opportunity to showcase their strengths and prove their potential to be part of the prestigious FIMBA GB teams.
Among the many impressive performances, a few players stood out with their exceptional displays of talent and determination. These standout athletes not only excelled in the physical tests but also showed great leadership and sportsmanship, qualities essential for representing Great Britain on the world stage.
Overall, the FIMBA GB Combine in Sheffield was a resounding success, highlighting the depth of talent and commitment among the participants. As the selection process continues, the coaches and selectors have a challenging task ahead in finalising the rosters for the 2025 World Championships. The future looks bright for FIMBA GB, with a strong pool of players ready to compete at the highest level.
The +50’s have been to two European tournaments and competed but we lacked that extra something against the bigger countries. I’ve extensive experience attending NBA Combines and also spoken at length to our German and Italian counterparts and looked at how they prepare their teams and replicated it, with a view to it becoming the norm for all our sessions.
FIMBA GB +55 Men Head Coach Des Williams
The +50 and +55’s are combining and forming three teams for the future, so that all players will get the chance to compete in tournaments. The +50 and +55’s will play in their respective age groups but there will be a select third team that will be a combination of both teams that will compete in national tournaments, a performance side that are solely dedicated to European and World events.
There is a need for a GB Performance team within a decade age group, but it must cater for those players that can’t get the time off work for games and or can’t travel the UK playing in regional tournaments. We’ve demonstrated that there are players in the 55’s that are physically and technically good enough to compete in the 50’s still and so why are we restricting them? The performance teams will allow them to compete within their own time constraints.
Coach Williams
NEXT SESSION
FIMBA GB COMBINE – (SOUTHERN AREA)
September 28th 2024
11am – 4pm
Gloucestershire College
Llanthony Road
Gloucester GL2 5JQ
