The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Basketball balancing act for Jamie
Recruitment specialist takes on challenge as Scotland under-16 men’s team boss – and reckons the experience will stand him in good stead
ATALENTED Aberdeen recruitment specialist has recently returned from Albania after supporting Scotland’s under-16 men’s basketball team as team manager at the FIBA U16 European Championship.
Jamie Leese, 43, senior recruitment specialist at Zenith Energy, netted the voluntary position with the support of the well engineering and project management firm.
A former player turned coach, he returned to the sport when his son started training with Panther Basketball Club, based in Portlethen.
Jamie said the team manager role is similar to recruitment, ensuring that the candidates and clients have the right information.
He said: “Pre-tournament is mostly administration based, working with the basketballscotland logistics team to get information to the tournament organisers.
“It is also my own responsibility to ensure everyone knows the sixmonth training schedule and that we get the right consent forms and documents for each player.”
Communication skills are crucial in any job and with a strong set of skills gathered in various roles, Jamie was well experienced for the Scotland job.
He said: “There is a lot of communication required between the team manager, parents/guardians and basketballscotland.
“I have to ensure everyone knows where and when training is and that transportation is on time, arrange meal times and book facilities for the coaching staff to deliver daily video reviews.
“My experience in recruitment, and coaching a similar age group at my local club, plus knowing the game well, helped me communicate with the young players more effectively.”
In a competitive recruitment market, it is hugely rewarding to find the ideal candidate for a client’s project requirements and supporting your national team also brings its rewards.
Jamie said: “Singing the national anthem while representing the country was pretty special and it was a real pleasure watching the players grow, not only as basketball players, but personally.
“The way the final squad bonded was fantastic, they came together as a team willing to fight for each other on and off the court and the Scottish warrior spirit shone through.”
Experience is essential for any good CV and Jamie’s work with the Scotland team has given him access to some of the best coaches in Scottish basketball, as well as knowledge on rest management and recovery, practice sessions and game management, which he has taken back to his local club.
Although it was challenging juggling the voluntary position with family life and his recruitment role, it was worthwhile.
“The team manager role was a learning curve and I learned lessons which will stay with me through life,” said Jamie.
“Zenith Energy supported me and sponsored the coaching staff, and that support from the business community is essential.
“I would encourage anyone to get involved in volunteering in sport as this is a lifeline for these clubs, the whole grassroots level is bred on volunteering.”