The GB women’s basketball team has made great progress in the last couple of years, with their successes paving the way for their Olympic debut this summer.
Whilst 2011 was a historic year for the whole team, one player in particular really stood out. Team captain Julie Page lead her side to a stand out summer - one which saw a historical second round place in EuroBasket 2011, during which the 28-year-old averaged 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Her achievements were enough to secure her both the British Basketball Player of the Year award and the BOA Athlete of the Year for basketball.
Julie is part of a side which has, at a crucial time, proved their worth to the world. We spent some time off court with the forward to look ahead to the biggest games of her life.
We’ve finally made it to the year of 2012 - how does it feel to have reached this milestone and be in the Olympic year?
For me personally, it’s so exciting. Last year was a hard year, I never really thought 2012 would come around and now it’s finally here. It’s just too exciting, I can’t put words to it!
The last couple of years have really seen the GB side progress - surely your involvement in the Olympics is the natural next step?
Yeah, for sure. Last year was the first year we played in an international tournament of such calibre, the EuroBasket. It was a huge step for us. Obviously going from a European Championship, the next natural step is competing with the rest of the world. It will be really exciting to do that and compete with the best in the world this year.
Can you tell us about what the last couple of years have been like for team GB?
We got promoted to Division A in Europe which was huge for the programme but then we went through a difficult patch - we lost some games we shouldn’t have lost and we actually got demoted back to Division B, which put our Olympic dreams out of touch.
With a lot of hard work from the people in the Federation and appeals to FIBA, they brought in a set of new coaching staff to help us. They did a great job with the appeal to FIBA, and we actually got reinstated to Division A which was huge to keep our Olympic hopes alive. Everyone in the Federation did their jobs and it was up to us as athletes to do our jobs on the court. With the help from the great new coaching staff we managed to make it to the EuroBasket last summer and basically showed Europe that we can compete at a high level, and that in 2012 teams need to pay attention and not just presume that we are there for the ride because we’re there to win games too.
Is this GB’s chance to really showcase how far the team has come?
Yeah, it’s going to be a huge opportunity for us. Not only to show the rest of the world that GB can compete, but also to show the fans in Great Britain that Basketball is a big sport in England and to try and get some more people out there to compete and take up the sport.
Amongst the great team achievements, 2011 also held a fantastic personal achievement for yourself as you were named British Basketball’s Athlete of the Year - how did that feel?
I mean that just blew my mind to be honest! I wasn’t expecting any kind of individual recognition or anything like that. At the EuroBasket we did great as a team, we all played really well, and that’s why I play a team sport. It’s not for the individual recognition but it was really nice to get the award and I was really honoured.
How will it feel to be a part of Team GB’s Olympic debut squad competing on home spoil?
It will be our Olympic debut so it means so much. I’ve been in the arena in London and it’s just absolutely magnificent. When I was in there I imagined the arena filled with all people from mostly Great Britain, it’s going to be a spectacular event. To be able to compete with players and teams that are the best in the world and to be able to take part in the biggest, most historical sporting event is just an unbelievable achievement and one that I’m sure every athlete aspires to in their own sport.
What are GB’s chances like? Are you going in with a gold-winning mentality?
America are obviously going to be the biggest threat. They’ve won gold numerous times and they will be looking to defend their Olympic title. Australia are a huge basketball nation, so they’re going to be right up there too.
GB, we’re young, we’re a young basketball nation, but we played Russia, who are also one of the best in the world, in the EuroBasket last summer and we only lost to them by three points, which shows that we can compete against the highest level teams.
I’m not sure any of us really have any thoughts in our minds that we are going to come out and win a gold medal, but right now it’s just about proving ourselves and showing everyone else that we can compete against the best in the world and we are good enough to be there. I mean we lost to Russia by only three points and since then we’ve all gone away and worked hard individually on the fitness plans. We’re going to come into camp in May in such better shape - we will be physically prepared, mentally prepared, and with another year of basketball experience under our belts. Those three points can easily turn from a loss into a huge win.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
For more information on Julie Page and the Standard Life GB teams please visit www.gameongb.com.