GB Women’s player Jude Hamer has recently announced that she will return to her home club, Exeter Otters this season following her departure from RGK Tees Valley Titans. The World and European silver medallist spoke with Rollt.’s Dylan Cummings and elaborated on why she has returned home.
Why did you choose to return to Exeter Otters?
“I am graduating from Sheffield Hallam University this November and so I have the time to travel back home to Exeter. I love the challenge of playing in the Premier League. I get to compete against men and be able to challenge myself differently compared to GB training. I initially left Otters in 2010 to play for Aces when Haj Bhania was their coach because I wanted to train with GB as often as I could and learn as much as possible from my GB teammates and now it feels like a good time to come back and help my home club succeed in the Premier League.”
How do you intend to fit back into the team?
“I hope that I can provide experience to the team. There are a lot of young players and it’s their first season back in the Premier League so I hope my experience of high-level competition will be useful in close games against competitive and experienced teams.”
You have played for Otters back in the day, what will be different this time round?
“I am really excited to go back and play alongside Jack Davey and Jordan Bright, I learned how to play basketball with them, and we all have so much more experience of the game now. I think if we can learn how to make the most of each other’s strengths we will do well this season.”
How do you think the styles of play will differ between Tees Valley Titans and Otters?
“Tees Valley is a great club and I really enjoyed my time there, there is a real family atmosphere. We had a lot of big players at Tees Valley, so it was a great chance for me to develop my outside game whereas I think I will need to run more of a post player game with Otters. I am hoping we can use speed to our advantage.”
How will playing in the league benefit you personally as you are on the road to Tokyo 2020?
“Playing in the league is great for me to push myself against men which is just a different ball game compared to training with the women’s team. It will test my decision-making skills and my ability to play physically which I am very excited about.”
What are your goals for next season?
“For now, I am just excited to get playing in the league and see how everyone gels together, but I think we stand a good chance of pushing for a spot at playoffs.”
How has the GB centralised programme benefitted you personally?
“Centralising in Sheffield has been amazing for me, having all of our training under one roof allows for a professional atmosphere and gives us access to so many support services. Having the opportunity to train every day allows me to constantly challenge myself and find new ways to be better.”
What do you love the most about Exeter as a place?
“Exeter is home for me, so seeing my family is my favourite thing. Aside from them I love being able to get out to the countryside really easily to walk the dogs.”
How would you describe your style of play?
“I like to play physically, and I really enjoy playing in the post. I am a little undersized for a forward, but I work really hard to be strong and I love the challenge.”
Has anyone specifically influenced you to play the way you do?
“I don’t like to compare myself to other athletes, I always want to be the best I can be and to maximise on my strengths.”
What piece of advice has stuck with you throughout your career?
“Coaches have always told me to treat basketball as an escape from real life and I didn’t understand when I was younger, but now I really appreciate this mentality and the fact that I have a sport I love which I get to train in every day.”
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?
“I think everyone would love a chance to train with Patrick Anderson, his ball handling and chair skills are just amazing to watch, and I would love to learn from him. Otters had Mariska Beijer train with them over the summer, but I wasn’t signed for them at the time, however I would have loved the chance to train with her and learn more about how she plays. She is arguably the best post player in the women’s game. Last time we travelled to Texas to compete we scrimmaged with UTA before the tournament began and it was so much fun to play against Rose Hollermann, so I would love the chance to train with her. I have been really fortunate through opportunities in GB and during my time at Alabama and in Italy to have trained with and competed against some really great athletes from all over the world.”
Can you beat the Dutch in Tokyo?
“I think we can yes, we are working hard, and I think if we make the final and meet them there anything is possible. It’s down to our belief in each other and ourselves to get the job done.”
Thanks for your time Jude.
Rollt. would like to thank Jude Hamer for the interview.
Jude Hamer Profile
Date of Birth: 03/12/1990 (aged 28)
Hometown: Exeter, Devon
Started playing: 2007
GB senior debut: 2009 European Championships
Classification: 4.0
Disability: PFFD (Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency) and right-leg below the knee amputee
Furture Club: Exeter Otters, GBR (2007-10, returning October 2019)
Former Clubs:
_Aces, GBR (2010-11)
_Coyotes, GBR (2011-16)
_ASD S Stefano, ITA (2016-17)
_RGK Tees Valley Titans, GBR (2017-19)
Career Highlights:
_2018 World Championships – Hamburg Germany (Silver)
_2019 Women’s European Championships – Rotterdam, Netherlands (Silver)
Interview: Dylan Cummings | Photo: Steffie Wunderl