Allie Berry takes basketball career to Germany

Over the early summer months, Allie Berry waited patiently to hear about extending her basketball career after her graduation from Acadia this past spring.

Having grown up in Yarmouth and graduated from high school here, Berry was an AUS all-star and named to the AUS championship tournament all-star team this past season while she played on the Acadia Axewomen basketball team.

She had reached the end of her playing career, as most university women’s basketball players settle for, but she didn’t want to settle on university basketball. Particularly since the opportunity for women to continue to play basketball in the professional ranks has grown immensely.

With the help of former Axewomen Emma Duinker, who played in Germany before returning to Canada to coach with the University of Windsor Lancers, Berry landed an opportunity to play for Ludwigsburg Basketball Women in the BBL league.

Berry says it was helpful to have a contact overseas. This was a great help to her, she said, along with other help she received.

“Coach Harvey helped me put together a video, which was sent to my agent. He also helped me with what questions I should ask about Axewoman Allie Berry, centre, has some fun with teammate Paloma Anderson and some young fans. how it all worked. After everything was sent, it became a waiting game to see if I would get a contract,” said Berry.

By June, Berry was offered a contract, but her agent suggested she wait for a better offer. For 10 days in August, Berry played in a tourna- ment in Italy and then headed to Germany for a chance to play.

“Two days before I left for Italy my agent called with a contract to play in Germany and, if I accepted, then I would fly from Italy after the tournament to Germany. I accepted the contract and have been in Germany since Aug. 20,” said Berry. Allie Berry in action with the Axewomen during her first season at Acadia.

Axewomen head coach Len Harvey was happy to help Berry land this new opportunity in Germany.

“Allie is a testament to putting in hard work on – and off – the court. She developed so much as a student, an athlete, and a community leader during her time here at Acadia, but it all stemmed from her work ethic and positive attitude. We are over the moon for her and the opportunities she earned overseas,” he said.

“I think Allie is a fine example to the current players here in Wolfville, but also at other schools, that with hard work and dedication you can continue to play basketball after your university eligibility is done,” Harvey added. “I look forward to her text messages every day about something new she learned, saw, or experienced. I know she has plenty of fans cheering her on here at home, we’re all incredibly proud of her.”

Berry has had a great experience in the BBL so far and noted the competition is outstanding.

“I play in Division 2 and the play at this level is strong. It is important to stay fit and healthy in order to be competitive. It has been a great experience so far. My teammates and coaching staff are amazing and have really made me feel at home here. I am really looking forward to playing this season with them,” said Berry in her e-mail.