Basketball Experience NL’s International Wheelchair Basketball Camp

At the end of 2022, Scotland players Shayne Humphries and Josh Manson travelled to Zwolle, Netherlands, to participate in Basketball Experience NL’s (BEN Foundation) first ever International Wheelchair Basketball camp. The camp was hosted by many experienced coaches and players from the Netherlands, in collaboration with the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

Shayne and Josh were a part of the 28 players from ten different countries to participate in the camp.

The programme, designed by Dutch National Team coaches Gertjan van der Linden and Irene Sloof, saw Shayne and Josh put in an environment with high-profile coaches and professional players that put a concentrated focus on improving theirs skills, conditioning, and knowledge of the game. Each day included a daily workout programme created for wheelchair basketball players in all classifications, lectures by coaches, and numerous different teaching stations.

When asked about the experience, Shayne commented: “As young developing player that wants to go far with wheelchair basketball it was great to play against high intensity players to see how hard I need to work to achieve my goals”

“The winter experience NL was one of the best experiences of my life!” remarked Josh. “I learned so much about basketball with world class coaches such as Irene Sloof, Gertjan van der Linden, Dennis Nohl and Mark Alders. Also working with world class athletes, Mariska Beijer, Mustafa Korkmaz and Quinten Zantinge, making new friends from all over the world. Bonding through basketball and creating forever relationships with coaching staff and players is an experience I will never forget! It has opened up new doors for my career and provided new opportunities. I would highly recommend anyone to attend this camp and take all they can from the experience.”

When asked how Shayne and Josh both got on at the camp, Coach Dennis commented: “If they are making the right choices in the future, both have the potential to be good international players” Coach Gertjan added that both Shayne and Josh were “very eager to learn. They have been real team players on and off the court.”

“The Winter Camp has enabled Josh and Shayne to have the opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches and players in the world.”  commented basketballscotland’s Inclusion Manger, Tina Gordon. “I know both will have greatly grown their on-court skills as players, but the life skills and development in confidence will also enhance them as people as well as players.  Camps are where players flourish socially, and I’m sure that both Josh and Shayne have forged some life-long friendships.”