BSR AMIAB Albacete has recently announced that World Champion, Harry Brown will be returning to the Spanish side for the upcoming season. This news comes after Brown took a two-year break from the Division de Honour, opting to play in his home country for the Sheffield Steelers these last couple seasons. He spoke with Rollt’s English-speaking Content Producer, Dylan Cummings and elaborated on why he decided to return to Albacete.
Why did you choose to return to Albacete?
“I chose to return to Albacete because they are a team that cares about families as well as wanting to win games on court.”
How do you intend to fit back into the team?
“I aim to fit back into the team by playing whatever role the coach wants me to play. Besides that, I believe that I bring a bit more pace and transition into the team.”
What will be similar or different this time round?
“The similar things will be that I will be back playing with a few of the guys and girls who were there before. I spent four years at the club already so the town can’t have changed too much. The different things are the obvious fact that there’s four of us returning.”
What new challenges do you think you will face in the Division de Honour?
“The big challenge that I’m looking forward to is bringing the Spanish Cup back to Albacete but also playing very competitive games week in, week out. This will play a huge factor in improving my game.”
How do you think the styles of play will differ between Steelers and Albacete?
“There is more thought process that goes into Albacete as the competition will be much tougher, but I will try bring the enjoyment and the fun I learned from Steelers into Albacete’s team dynamic.”
With Steelers you have pretty much steamrolled through every team over the last two years in the British league. The Division de Honour will be a lot more competitive, how do you think this will benefit you personally?
“Playing against that standard of competition every week will be huge in improving my game, especially when it comes to learning how to control the tempo of a game.”
What are your goals for next season?
“I’m not much of a goal setter but the plans are to win the Division de Honour and the Champions League.”
How has GB been preparing for the European Championships?
“We have just got back from one of our last selection camps in Slovenia and the group is looking good for the near future and beyond. I feel sorry for Haj Bhania having to pick twelve of us.”
How has the GB centralised programme helped improve your game over the last two years?
“The GB centralised programme in Sheffield is world class and it helped shape me into the player I am now. Having access to the English Institute of Sport and also having our admin team in the office next to the court as well as world class coaching is the reason why we became World Champions.”
How much do you think Spanish culture will differ from British culture?
“Getting used to being told everything rather than when you want takes getting used to but I loved my experience last time and I can’t wait to share it this time with Courtney and the kids.”
What will you miss the most about home when you are abroad?
“I will obviously miss family and friends but it’s only a flight away so shouldn’t be an issue.”
How would you describe your style of play?
“The easiest way to describe my style would be organised chaos. I feel I work at 100mph while most of the time knowing what I’m doing.”
Has anyone specifically influenced you to play the way you do?
“Too many people have added to how I play basketball, Ade Orogbemi showed me the ways of chaos and I tried to learn how to keep calm and collected.”
What piece(s) of advice has stuck with you throughout your career?
“If you can’t get it up, it won’t go in.” – Murray Treseder
“You don’t need to see just throw it at the orange blob.” – Abdi Jama
“One stick on its own breaks easily, but five sticks together are strong.” – George Bates
If you could do a training session with three other players from anywhere in the world male or female to improve your skills, which players would you choose and why?
“Matt Scott because of the way he can choke a defence into submission. Patrick Anderson because of the things he can do with a wheelchair and how he sees the game. Ozgur Gurbulak because of his leadership and the way he can change the momentum of a game.”
How important is it to you to be a role model for your children?
“Words can’t describe what they mean to me and I hope I can give them everything possible to become whatever they want to be in the future.”
Harry Brown Profile
Date of Birth: 21/06/1994 (aged 24)
Hometown: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Started playing: 2002
GB senior debut: 2011 Paralympic World Cup
Classification: 2.5
Disability: Double-leg above the knee amputee
Future club: BSR AMIAB Albacete, ESP (2013-2017, returning September 2019)
Former clubs:
_Calerdale Cardinals, GBR (2002-2008)
_Sheffield Steelers, GBR (2008-2013, 2017-2019)
Career Highlights:
International
_3 x European Champion (2011, 2013, 2015)
_Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medallist
_World Champion (2018)
Club
_3x IWBF Challege Cup winner (2012, 2015, 2016)
_IWBF EuroLeague 2 winner (2018)
Rollt. would like to thank Harry Brown for this interview.
Interview: Dylan Cummings | Photo: Uli Gasper