I’m coming to the end of my work experience with West Brom Basketball Club, and so far, I’ve really enjoyed it — especially the teaching and coaching side of things. Even though I’m working alongside my peers, I’ve learned a lot, like how to adapt sessions to better suit younger players who might not have the same ability levels. This week has given me experiences that I know will have a positive impact on my future.
When I first joined West Brom, I was nervous at try-outs. It was my first year playing basketball, and I thought everyone else would be better than me because they had more experience. Some of the drills were tricky, but I didn’t give up. I kept trying, asked questions, and gave it my best. In the end, I played well and earned a spot on the U15 YBL team — which felt amazing. I was proud of myself, and I know my parents were proud too. That moment gave me a real passion — not just to make my family proud, but to make myself proud.
Joining the team meant training with a bunch of new faces, and I knew that if we wanted to be a winning team, we’d need to build chemistry. Training under Coach Liam was tough — especially with all the running — but I’m grateful for it. My stamina and speed have improved so much since the beginning. Eventually, I worked my way into the starting lineup, which was another great milestone.
We started the season strong, winning game after game without a single loss. But we stayed focused and played every game like it was the final. That mindset helped us go all the way — and when we reached the finals, the atmosphere was intense. The other team’s fans were loud and trying to put us off, but we stuck together and came out on top — undefeated champions. I still can’t believe that in just one year of playing basketball, I was able to achieve so much. I owe that to the people who supported me — my teammates, and especially the coaches who put so much time and effort into helping us improve.
At the club’s awards day, I went in not expecting to win anything. I was just happy to be there and celebrate others. But to my surprise, I won the Most Valuable Player award for my team. That moment — along with winning the final — is one of the biggest highlights of my basketball journey so far. I’ll never forget how happy it made my mum — she even cried with joy. That meant everything to me.
Being part of West Brom Basketball Club has been such an amazing experience. It’s a great environment where we can all be ourselves and push each other to be better. I’ve had brilliant coaches, made great friends, and learned so much. I’m looking forward to the rest of this week and all the new experiences that come with it.