HOPKINS-CHERY THRILLED TO BE PART OF CRITICAL GB ROLE

Sarah Hopkins-Chery expressed her excitement about the positive developments surrounding Great Britain upon her return to the fold.

Hopkins-Chery is set to take charge of the U20 Women this summer at the FIBA Youth EuroBasket. She views her role of leading the future stars as not just important, but critical to the Senior pathway.

But it’s also motivating for Hopkins-Chery to rejoin the set-up and witness the positive developments within the British Basketball Federation (BBF).

These include recent funding news, which will provide more resources for training and development, and increased collaboration within the Youth and Senior teams, fostering a stronger and more cohesive community.

“I think that work ethic is a crucial piece, and I just want to compete no matter who we’re against,” Hopkins-Chery said.

“For me, it’s an exciting role to be part of as it’s not only about us getting better every day and finding ways to improve our players individually and as a unit for GB down the road.

“But it’s also that last step to be that person that helps these players prepare for that next step. Like becoming players for the senior women’s team and what they will do in their last couple of years at college, this age group, like the under-16 and 18 groups, has its importance.

“This group has that international experience, so the pathway is helping them, and for me, it’s an exciting time to be part of the Great Britain set-up because of these factors and that these players have the ability to go to the next level.”

Witnessing the talent first hand

This isn’t Hopkins-Chery first rodeo with the national team both as a coach and as a player, being a former England U16, U20, and Senior international.

The current Cal State Monterey Bay Otters women’s basketball tactician also led the U23 3X3 team last summer at the FIBA 3X3 Nations League in Szolnok, Hungary, and Katowice, Poland.

Amongst the talent pool she had during the summer was Ella Doherty, who also plays for the Otters.

Hopkins-Chery admitted that while it was tough for the national team to adapt to still being relatively new to the 3X3 arena, which was reflected in the overall win-loss record, she saw promising performances and determination that played a factor in her return, with tremendous growth in the players she saw.

“I think their work ethic and just that grit and that pride of putting in the work was something I loved from the girls in those 3X3 tournaments, and it’s something I know the team will put in this summer,” Hopkins-Chery said.

“Back in the 3X3 game, we were adjusting to the format, and they played exceptionally well considering we were up against teams that are used to the 3X3 game. On the second stop in Poland, we had players arriving late, but the experience was fantastic.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in youth basketball and see the development of the players coming through the GB programme.

“What’s also great is that some of the seniors that are helping lead the way and bring up some of the younger ones. There’s just the collaboration that’s starting to happen and is already happening, which makes you want to be part of this, and I’m looking forward to it all.”