I’ll jump through hoops to succeed!
Playing basketball has been life - changing for Sandra Hewakowska. The 19-yearold has been transformed from a shy student to a team captain, coach and fitness trainer.
She says: ‘ Basketball makes me an extrovert. i love being part of a team, shouting encouragement and celebrating success. it’s uplifting.’
Sandra, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, is in the second year of a foundation degree in sport and exercise science at BMET. She’s had a burning desire to become a professional basketball player since 2015, when she studied a level 3 sports diploma at the college in the West Midlands.
Sandra says: ‘Being a sports student has improved my physical strength and helped me take care of my body.
‘i’ve been able to play more games, train more and be a better player. learning about coaching has been good as well. i’ve completed coaching units on my diploma course and combined this with work experience at local schools and the college.
‘Coaching is something i’d love to do after my playing career ends. i want as many people as possible to enjoy basketball as i do.’
Sandra has contacted basketball colleges in america that she hopes to play for next September. She has also set goals for BMET’S women’s team, which has just started the 2018/19 season. ‘ The team were association of Colleges We s t Midlands champions last year,’ she says. it is a trophy the team wants to retain and build on by going for the national title.
Sandra says: ‘i’ve shadowed coaches at college and at the City of Birmingham Basketball Club.
‘i know that if you want your team to win matches, then you need to have a good strategy in place, one that covers the physical, tactical, technical and psychological aspects of being a competitor.’
Being a trainer is something else Sandra is adding to her skill set.
not only does she make it to the gym three or four times a week, she also helps her teammates keep fit.
‘i’ve set out fitness goals for everyone and i’ve done some individual training sessions,’ she says. ‘it’s helped me understand more about the roles of a coach and a trainer and about the different ways to communicate with and motivate others.’
On top of playing, training and coaching every day, Sandra officiates at college home games for the women’s and men’s teams.
She says: ‘i can confidently say that my future will somehow involve basketball. it’s a big part of who i am now.’
BMET’S next open events take place on saturday, October 20, and saturday, November 24, between 10am and 1pm. For details, visit bmet.ac.uk