With 2026 firmly in our sights, this year marks a pivotal moment for the Men’s +40s programme. Our focus is very clear: this is the year to take care of business and lay the foundations for success in Athens.
Following a brief warm-up phase, the session quickly transitioned into structured work, with an emphasis on learning and implementing our offensive systems. This was the first step in building cohesion on the court and beginning the process of moulding individuals into a connected, competitive unit. Establishing a shared understanding of spacing, timing, and roles is essential, and the group responded positively to the demands of this early phase.
Due to the strong level of interest and the size of the training squad, difficult decisions had to be made regarding selection. A small number of players were not selected at this stage. It is important to stress that this does not mark the end of their FIMBA journey. Selection decisions reflect the needs of the squad at this particular moment in time, and players remain very much part of the wider programme going forward.
As we continue to embed our offensive structures and strengthen relationships within the group, the next phase will focus on developing on-court chemistry and competitive sharpness. This will include introducing game scenarios, increased intensity, and testing our systems against external opposition. The aim is to organise a series of pre-tournament games to benchmark our progress, build resilience, and ensure the team is fully prepared as we move closer to Athens.
The commitment, attitude, and professionalism shown so far give us confidence that we are moving in the right direction, with a clear plan and shared purpose driving the Men’s +40s programme forward.
“2026 is the year we take care of business. From the first session, the focus has been on building habits, learning our offenses, and starting the process of becoming a real team. Selection is never easy, especially with the depth of talent we have, but every decision is about putting the squad in the best possible position for Athens. This is just the beginning — once the systems are in place and the chemistry grows, we’ll test ourselves against quality opposition and make sure we’re fully prepared to compete when it matters most.” Coach AJ
