My Story
Kara joined the under 12 girls team at Ipswich basketball club in February 2020. On her first day at high school, a PE teacher (also a basketball coach) suggested she come along to lunchtime training, having spotted her due to her height. She instantly took to the sport but unfortunately, shortly after joining the club, the Covid pandemic struck and activities were cancelled for some time.
When training and matches were able to start again, Kara was then in the under 14 team. Last season the team reached the national junior final fours. Also last season, Kara was chosen to play for the England under 14 girls basketball team in the 3 nations tournament in Dundee and for a friendly tournament held in Serbia.
Last year, she was chosen for the Aspire regional talent programme, going through to the team that represented the South region in the Aspire all star tournament in Manchester in July.
This year has been Kara’s first season in the Ipswich under 16 girls team. She has played in every game, usually in the starting 5, despite being one of the younger players in the age group. The team came top of the Southern premier league, going into the playoff round and winning to go through to final fours again, where they came 3rd.
In April this year, Kara was chosen for the England Under 16 girls team to compete in the 4 nations tournament in Dublin, which the team won.
I hope this gives a bit of an insight into Kara’s basketball journey so far. In terms of the future, she hopes at the end of year 11 in 2024 to play at academy level and hopefully to be given the chance to represent her country again.