Luis’ departure a loss for Wolves
The West Lothian sports scene will undoubtedly be worse off this week as basketball coach Luis Romero returns to his homeland to become head coach of Stadium Zaragoza’s under-18 women’s team.
The Spaniard was a key figure in the Wolves’ transformation to a club that saw no fewer than 30 of their players from all age groups named in Scotland squads for this summer’s European tournaments.
Of course, Luis certainly didn’t do it all on his own and there is a core group of top-class basketball coaches at the club – not to mention the vision and hard work of chairman Paul Meldrum -–that has made them the envy of the sport in this country.
The old adage that one person is never bigger than a club is true – and Luis would be the first person to agree.
The Wolves, no doubt, will continue to be a hugely successful club even without the affable Spaniard being involved day-to-day.
During his stint in Scotland, Luis helped the Wolves win nine national titles, including leading the under-18 women to consecutive Scottish Cup successes as well as guiding the national team to European C Division gold at two separate age groups, with the under-16 side in 2014 and under-18 team the following year.
But titles, accolades and praise were always the last thing on his mind.
I’ve watched his Wolves sides play many times over the last three years and it was clear from the very first whistle of the first match I witnessed that here was a coach -– and club – that had a different outlook on the game from others in the country.
What immediately struck me was the fact that the players all ran about with smiles on their faces, regardless of the score.
And that, ultimately, is what youth sport should be all about and Luis symbolises the epitome of what a youth sports coach should be.
Creating a positive atmosphere where the players can play without fear of making mistakes and without the pressure of feeling they must win games.
It really shouldn’t be a radical, against the grain idea, but it is.
Too often we hear stories of youngsters falling out of love with sports due to not playing enough or simply not having any fun.