Judith Hamer: Wheelchair Basketball

Judith Hamer plays for the Great Britain under-25s basketball team.

I have worked with her for the last 3 years or so as part of the TASS scheme based at Exeter University.

(This picture shows her sporting her bronze medal from the recent European Championships and her new leg!)

Today was my last training session for her (at least for the forseeable future). Jude is going to Loughborough University and will base her training up there.

The last 3 years have been a steep learning curve for Jude and myself, as we have got to know the demands of the sport, her own particular needs and special requirements and also dealing with the outside factors (this morning idiots were blocking her disabled car parking spaces again).

This has not been all smooth sailing, with various arguments, disagreements, miscommunications, funding problems and so on. The last 6 months though have seen real progress made physically, mentally and emotionally by Jude.

Watching Jude develop as a young person and a successful athlete has been a real pleasure and is one of the most rewarding coaching experiences I have had.

It was great to hear that Jude delivered her best effort so far at the recent tournament and that she is hoping to continue working hard and performing to put herself into contention for London 2012.

I wish her all the best for the future.