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Mareike Adermann wheels past Marina Mohnen for the ball at the German national championships.

It is spring and for me, that means it is not only time to finish my bachelor’s degree, but also to begin my yearly travels to compete for the German women’s wheelchair basketball national team.

Only one week after I had finished the season as a national champion in the US intercollegiate division, I spent my spring break with the national team at the University of Texas-Arlington for an 11-day training camp.

This was the first time the team was nearly complete and training again since the London 2012 Paralympics.

The week was filled with hard work along with a few fun events such as shopping and watching a Dallas Mavericks NBA game.

This training camp was also the first as preparation for the 2013 European Championships, which will be held in Frankfurt at the end of June.

As we are the host and current top team worldwide, we train hard to try to continue being at our best.

Mareike Adermann shooting two of her 32 points in the final of German national championships.

Last year was the first time in 28 years that we were able to get to this level. However, getting there and being able to stay there are two completely different challenges, so we have to start over and train just like before.

After the camp in Texas, all of us returned to our homes to train with our club or collegiate teams and prepare on our own, while working, or in my case taking exams and going to class.

Most of the year was spent that way, which is why most of the success we have really depends on how hard we are willing to train and how much time we are able to spend in gyms.

Luckily, most of us are in situations where we are provided with many opportunities and are able to train and play at high levels all year.

Sometimes, the travels with the national team provide a challenge to these situations, though. As many of us work, study or go to school, we always have to find the understanding of professors or supervisors that allow us to take days off.

I am personally very fortunate to have chosen to study in the United States, as the university is very accommodating and allows me to be with the national team almost every time to continue developing together.

Thus, last Thursday, only four weeks before finishing my undergraduate studies, I got on a plane to Germany to compete at the women’s national championships and a training camp with the national team.

At the German championships, I was competing for Hamburg. We had four full games within two days and were not only able to capture the first place but I was also named tournament MVP.

Mareike Adermann meets with her team’s sponsor, Audi.

Next on the busy travel schedule was a training camp with the national team in Berlin.

However, first we got to enjoy the benefits of winning a Paralympic gold medal. Our sponsor, Audi, allowed us to spend a whole day driving and racing some of their best cars, which was a very fun team event.

We trained for three days, pushing and competing against each other. The time was well spent, and thus as I am now sitting on a plane flying back to the US, I am exhausted but excited for the rest of the summer that I will continue having fun with the team while training and playing my favourite sport.

However, before I am able to see them again, I will have to spend two weeks to catch up on exams, papers and other school work to make sure I actually graduate this May.

It would simply be too easy if I could just train and do what I love most.

I will continue to write blogs leading up to and during the European Championships (28 June-7 July), as well as the U25 European Championships (15-18 August), so keep checking back.

Is it really nearly the end of February… Where is the time going?

It has started snowing again here today, quite light though I am glad to say, We had to cancel some games because of the weather and are running out of weekends to re-run them.
Last weekend my first division London Titan’s team and I travelled to Sheffield for an away game against the team that will be the deciding factor between us making the playoffs or not. SHEFFIELD STEELERS. This team is extremely well organised and well drilled. They have a mix of young and seasoned players and a coach with years of international experience. I find my players are always a bit awe struck when they play teams that consist of ex-GB players. This played a big part in our defeat on the day. We were beaten by 10 points. I am happy about this though as my team showed that there is so much room for improvement for the home re-match. I will be working more on their mental state, rather than their basketball abilities.

I am pleased to say that during the game, my junior player Jim Palmer hit 10 points and this is becoming the norm for him now His confidence levels are rising with every game he plays. Also one of my point guards, who has a habit of arguing with the referees (which I am addressing) and picking up technical fouls, actually played the game and did not pick up a technical lol, so well done to David. My other point guard Hadj Lahmar played his usual solid/consistent game and defensively upped it to a level I have never seen, I lost count of the amount of times he forced the opposing team to turn the ball over. He picked up more offensive and defensive rebounds than any of the forwards. All in all, my team was firing on most cylinders on the day, so I am really looking forward to the home game to see the lads step up and show me what they are really made of when its ALL on the line

Wednesday night this week was my once a month training session for the Eastern Blue Stars and Aspire Stars women’s teams. I had mainly all of my development players this week and we had a really fun evening. I love helping to develop their skills from scratch, it was all really basic ball handling and chair skills, but there is so much talent coming through. By the time I am finished with them all, they will have so much flare/skill/confidence that they will be amazing to watch. I love to see people showing off their talents and having fun when they play, so we are currently working on spin shots, hook shots, finger rolls, round the back passing…. anything away from the norm that makes you feel like a real baller

I am also looking forward to Saturday this week as I am covering a Junior session for the wonderful Ann Wild OBE at my club. I love the Juniors, I am planning fun..fun.. fun for them.

On my other work front, I start my headteacher visits for 21st Century Legacy this week and I am really looking forward to this. The more schools we get on board, the more wonderful children we can reach and teach/show them the true potential that lies within and give them the chance of a great shiny bright future.

I am also starting my intensive NLP Masters course on Friday, which runs for 10days. I can’t wait, it is run by the most positive motivational woman I have ever met on this planet, Kath Temple, and I know I about to learn, grow and expand and come back with a new lease of life, plus some very handy skills to add to my ‘toolbox’.

Also an update on the GB Women’s coaching position. I put in my CV and did not make the shortlist, so I now know that my talents are needed elsewhere…. my quest for world domination on the basketball front will now be moving to the continent lol….watch this space.

Wishing you all a wonderful week.