Robb: GB Debut a wow moment
During the last window Hannah Robb became the latest Brit – and Scot – to step on court for GB Women. This week she’s hoping to feature once more as we play a crucial EuroBasket qualifier versus Belarus on Friday.
For the 22-year-old, November’s win over Poland was a memory that will last a lifetime. Not only an important win, but also her first cap as a senior GB player:
Honestly, it was one of those “wow” moments for me. It was such an honour to put on the GB jersey and get my first cap. It was an incredible feeling stepping onto the court with the senior national team for the first time. I felt really proud and loved every minute of it, it’s something I’ll remember forever.
With the new bubble environment changing preparations in Istanbul, the team got the chance to spend a full week in camp together. It was time well spent for Robb, offering a unique chance to learn from GB’s many veterans:
It was amazing being around some of my role models. I learned a lot from them and in the GB culture of the team. As a young player, I tried to be open and take in as much as I could from the time we spent together. We were well supported and looked after in the bubble and everyone helped me feel at ease. I’m excited to be back with the team again!
Set to pick up cap 134 this week, Chantelle Handy is GB’s second-highest capped player ever. That level of experience makes her the perfect mentor for younger players coming into the team, something which was a massive help to Hannah during the window:
From the first day, everyone made me feel like part of the team and I felt really welcomed into the group. I looked to Chan and Eilidh a lot as leaders on the team and Chan really helped me settle in. She talked to me a lot during our practices and was super positive which gave me a lot of confidence.
Over the years there’s been a long list of successful Scots representing GB. From record-holder Bill McInnes to Olympian Rose Anderson, Robb is the latest to wear the union flag – an achievement she’s incredibly proud of:
It’s a great honour to represent GB and I’m proud to be one of the few Scots within the senior setup. There’s that extra pride being able to represent Scotland within the team. The support from home has been overwhelming and to know I’m making them proud is really special to me.
Having began her career in Angus with Tayside Musketeers, Hannah has developed in Scotland over the last decade. Following the player development pathway through Scotland youth teams and Caledonia Pride, Robb hopes to inspire more young players to follow in her footsteps:
It’s been key for me! Up until my move to Riders this season, I’ve only played in Scotland and within the Scottish system, which is something I take pride in. Being part of Caledonia Pride from the beginning has been huge for my development. I grew really quickly being in a professional environment and around all the older Scots every day. I’m proud to be the first to come through the Pride program and show the way for other younger Scots.
Looking ahead to the game, Robb the players know what they need to do and are ready to approach it the same way they always do:
It’s a big game for us but our focus remains the same – on ourselves and playing the GB way. Our mindset is to compete hard, play together and stay positive. Our goal is to qualify for EuroBasket this summer – we want to be consistently competing with the best.