basketballscotland recently held Scotland’s second International Wheelchair Basketball Camp.
Spanning five action-packed days, the camp focused on elevating athletes’ skills and techniques to a high-performance level. The primary aim was to provide athletes with a taste of training as elite athletes. Intensive training sessions, expert coaching, and competitive games enabled participants to learn, develop, and demonstrate their full potential.
Returning as Head Coach after leading the 2023 camp was Janet Zeltinger, who is regarded as one of the world’s top wheelchair basketball players and is the current Head Coach at RSV Lahn-Dill Rollstuhlbasketball. Zeltinger’s expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for the camp itself added a special touch for both players and staff.
Athletes worked on a variety of technical skills on the court, including dribbling, shooting, and passing drills designed to enhance their overall game performance. As well as participating in full-court 5v5 games, the camp introduced 3×3 basketball sessions, providing athletes with the opportunity to engage in this fast-paced, strategic version of the game, which emphasises speed, agility, and teamwork.
“An amazing week! [I have] come home with new skills, knowledge and friends. And to have the opportunity to meet and talk to Janet Zeltinger just made it all the more special. Thank you.”
It wasn’t just on court skills that were a focus of camp. Off the court, they received tactical skills video analysis from Scotland head coach and Great Britain Assistant Coach, Mark Stevenson. Scotland internationalist Ben Leitch conducted strength and conditioning sessions, providing each athlete with a personalised S&C programme to take home. Additionally, all athletes began their training towards the Level One Table Official Qualification under the guidance of Johnnie Walker, enhancing their understanding of the game’s technical aspects and offering valuable opportunities to expand their knowledge and engage with the sport from a new perspective. One participant even went on to officiate at the Celtic Cup. Furthermore, Dave Rhoney from Help 4 Heroes engaged athletes in strategic thinking and teamwork through enjoyable problem-solving activities.