Great Britain captain Andrew Sullivan will be launching his own ‘DS8 Basketball Clinics’ this weekend in order to raise the standard of the game in the UK.
Sullivan, who spent last year with the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League told Hoopsfix.com that the hard work of promoting the sport will come after the Olympics and that the Games themselves are vital in helping basketball grow in the country.
“I truly believe that it can have a monumental effect on how the sport goes forward,” he said. “As long as we don’t expect the Games to do all the heavy lifting. I think that the hard work will actually take place after the Olympics, but the Games will help make the process some what easier.
“What needs to be stressed is that as a developing sport in this country we must not allow this chance to fade into the background.”
The clinics that Sullivan has organised over the coming weeks and months will focus initially on the serious players at the top end of the ability ladder aged between 18 and 24. The first DS8 Clinic will be held in Loughborough this weekend (19th and 20th May) and it will consist of two 4-hour coaching sessions where they will combine basketball skill drills with speed, strength, conditioning and agility work.
Sullivan also told Hoopsfix that the inspiration behind this new venture was legendary British basketball coach Joe White, who mentored the GB captain as a youth player.
“One of the biggest reasons I decided to start these clinics was to try and give back to basketball in Britain. I don’t believe there are many clinics like these that are taking place in the UK,” Sullivan explained.
“I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for many of the people, most notably Joe White, I know I wouldn’t be in this position to give back to the sport. One of the things I feel strongly about is that I’ve been extremely lucky to have great people around me so if I’m able to pass on my experiences then it’ll be selfish not to.”
Nike have donated important pieces of equipment for the speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness workouts. These skills are something Sullivan feels are overlooked and will use the tools he has to make the players he is teaching better.
The clinic are invite only sessions and it’s expected that approximately 20 players are invited.
The next sessions will be held in Birmingham the following weekend (26th and 27th May).
