Future of basketball for Team GB

On our trip to China with Towards the Olympics project we had the exciting opportunity to watch women's basketball China v Spain.

The buzz of the stadium was awesome and there were many China supporters. We took our seats and were lucky enough to be sitting next to the Great Britain Ambition Team for women's basketball in preparation for London 2012.

Steve Taylor and the head coach was interested in what we were doing in China and explained the Ambition Team idea.

"We did not qualify for the Beijing Olympics but will automatically qualify for London 2012 as we are the hosts."
Steve Taylor

'The Great Britain Ambition Team has been set up for teams that have not yet competed in an Olympic sport before, basketball is one of these. We did not qualify for the Beijing Olympics but will automatically qualify for London 2012 as we are the hosts. We were invited out to China to understand how the protocols, the training schedule and the expectations that surrounds this prestigious event.'

We explained to them that we were here with the school representing Towards the Olympics project and to interview/write reports on behalf of the BBC on any athletes we met.

We spoke with one of the ladies Azania, a prospective player for the 2012 squad, who told us that she had come with the Great Britain Team to experience the vibe of the Olympics.

"We were surprised to find out that she first got into basketball through netball"
Homewood School

We were surprised to find out that she first got into basketball through netball and that she had never thought of doing it before until she was scouted by an American coach who asked her to consider training to become a basketball player.

Azania decided to take this opportunity so she finished her GCSEs in England before moving to Florida to start her training. She is currently studying her first year in a scholarship at Florida University.

On top of all this Azania is training hard for the 2012 Olympics and 'is working hard to make her dream come true'.

We asked 'What is school like in America? Is it different to England?'

"It is just how you would expect it to be, just like it is in the films, completely stereotypical!"
Azania

She answered, 'It is just how you would expect it to be, just like it is in the films, completely stereotypical!'

She was extremely passionate about her sport and seemed to enjoy telling us all about it.

We were really appreciative that they took time to speak with us and our grateful for their kindness. We wished them lots of luck and hope all their dreams of becoming basketball players for Team GB in 2012 come true.

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