What a weekend! Our first 65s training camp has given us a really strong foundation to build from. Across the two days, we worked hard on the details that will define us as a team!
Defensive positioning and communication, ball movement, cutting and screening, transition basketball, rebounding and finishing. Most importantly, we began to develop a shared understanding of how we want to play, with players increasingly taking ownership of decisions and responding to the challenges put in front of them.
A huge thank you to the coaches for organising the camp and for the time, energy and thought they put into coaching throughout the weekend. It was also great to welcome the new guys into the group and, equally, to have so many familiar faces back together. The combination of experience, new ideas and genuine competitiveness made for a really productive camp. From my perspective as assistant coach, there were plenty of encouraging signs, particularly in the way the group embraced the intensity, competed for each other and started to understand the importance of the small details that ultimately make the difference.
There is plenty of homework now! The next step is to take what we have worked on and make it instinctive. Sharper defensive footwork, better communication, stronger box-outs, purposeful movement without the ball, quicker decisions in transition and greater consistency from the free-throw line. The squad will continue working on the details between now and October, because that is where improvement happens. Thanks, everyone, for making it such an enjoyable and worthwhile weekend. I’m already looking forward to seeing the group back together in October and continuing the journey.
Assistant Coach: Sam Montgomery
“Having the opportunity to work with the group over the first +65s training camp was incredibly encouraging. There is a real mix of experience, enthusiasm and competitiveness within the squad, and it was great to see everyone embrace the challenges we put in front of them.
For me, the most pleasing aspect was seeing the group begin to develop an understanding of how we want to play, rather than simply focusing on individual skills. The communication, defensive intensity and willingness to work for each other improved throughout the weekend.
We have plenty to work on between now and October, but the foundations are there. If the players continue to put the same level of commitment into the details, I’m confident we can make significant progress together. It was a really enjoyable weekend, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can build from here”
