Basketball in Mid Wales: You are the solution

In this post, I will address the problems that have traditionally plauged basketball's lack of development in Mid Wales. It should be noted that I am approaching this (brief) analysis from a local point of view, using personal experience, both from playing and coaching the game, to inform my opinions. Therefore this post is relevant for not only players, but parents, teachers, and coaches also. I also make specific reference to Mid Wales throughout, but it is relevant for those in all areas.

Before I begin, let me say thankyou to all those who have helped me over the years try to rectify these things, and improve my own game in the process. There are too many people to mention from teachers, coaches, and other school/council workers but I most definitely appreciate the help.

If you are a young person either playing or contemplating playing basketball in Mid Wales, the message of this column should be: You are the solution. As alluded to in the previous paragraph, people are willing to help and do their part, but in the end, it is up to you to cause the real change.

Learning a new sport is hard enough. A new learner is barraged with information and stimuli from all angles and directions. Understanding of the rules, fundamental techniques, principles of play, and the activity's ethics are just some of the innate considerations that take place in a novice's brain when starting out in a new game. These factors are even more prevalent when the beginner fails to possess a 'foundation' of knowledge or appreciation of the purpose of the game. Basketball in Mid Wales is a great case study for this.

Why is this the case?

In Mid Wales, our preferred sports have generally been/always will be rugby and football. This fact is due to social aspects, access, availability of coaches, and the high visibility of both games in the media. We are introduced to these popular games by our parents, other family members, or friends from an early age. We all play rugby and football in school, on the playground, with our friends, and at home (well, maybe not rugby), illustrating how widely accessible these activities are. We receive instruction from teachers and qualified coaches on how to improve. Finally, major international events (if we qualify) and tournaments such as the Six Nations are broadcast nationally to millions of people. In short, these games have become part of our culture.

Of course there are other sports that achieve some of those things to varying degrees, but basketball is most definitely one that fails to tick any one of the boxes. Mention the word 'basketball' to many in the area and you have a good chance that someone will believe you are talking about netball, or possibly will believe that you are calling them a basketcase. However, every secondary school gym has what I regard as three essential requirements to play the sport: two basketball hoops, a supply of basketballs, and conscious humans. Therefore, there should be no excuses into why basketball can't be played in Mid Wales.

But there are excuses. 'We don't play it in school', 'I don't know how to play', and 'What's basketball?' are three responses I usually receive from those not already involved in the game. Well, pick up a ball for a second and throw it at a hoop, and you'll be amazed at how quickly those thoughts disappear.