Hoopsfix 1 on 1: Stef Collins

Dan Wooller/wooller.com

By Joe Pinchin | @jpincho22

Stef Collins was at the front of GB’s successful summer qualifying campaign, steadying the talented squad with her leadership and international experience. Now she is leading the UWIC Archers who currently sit at 7-1 in EBL Division 1, with the same record in BUCS Premier South and atop both competitions. I had the chance to catch up with Stef recently to talk Team GB, Poland 2011 and how basketball started for her.

Hoopsfix: Firstly, huge thanks for taking time out to answer these questions and congratulations on a great summer and the season so far Stef. Let’s take it back to the beginning, when did you start playing basketball and why? Were you hooked immediately or did the game slowly grow on you?

SC: I started playing basketball when I was 12, when my Dad retired from the Air Force we moved to New York in the summer of ’94 to be closer to his side of the family, my parents thought it would be a great idea for me to attend my first basketball camp, they figured I could meet kids my age who I would go to school with in the Fall. From that first experience I fell in love with the game, that Christmas I asked for my first basketball hoop to put in our driveway. I cannot tell you the amount of winter snowfalls we had when I would shovel the driveway off and shoot for hours in the cold with gloves on.

Hoopsfix: As well as basketball, you had some success with running. What was the appeal of cross country and track?

SC: I think the appeal for running came from my big sister. She’s 4 years older than me and I looked up to her when I was younger, so which ever sport she took up I always joined in. I’ve always enjoyed running but I reckon I should have tried my hand at football and tennis.

Hoopsfix: What was the key to such a successful transition from high school to the college level, winning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in your first season at St. Bonaventure?

SC: The key to my successful transition from high school to Division 1 college hoops was due to my drive and determination to improve, I had a great supporting cast when it came to my family and my high school coach, I was very ambitious and wanted to do well… Alongside that, my decision to go to St. Bonaventure was the perfect fit for me, my high school was in a small town with only 65 kids in my graduating class, and St. Bonaventure was much of the same, a small school that happened to play in a very competitive conference, the Atlantic 10, I was able to come in straight away and make a significant impact.

Hoopsfix: You suffered a torn ACL at preseason training, going into your sophomore year at St Bonaventure. Talk us through the rehab process and how you dealt with having to sit for a year after such a big freshman season?

SC: At the time, I thought tearing my ACL was the worse thing ever; I couldn’t believe it especially after having such a successful freshman season. Looking back, I am so grateful for that time away from the court, I learned so much over the course of that year and developed a new love and insight for the game. My rehab was rigorous, but luckily I was able to red-shirt so there was no pressure for me to return to the court in a hurry. I got that year back so luckily we took everything in stride, and it wasn’t until 9 months later when I played in my first basketball game again. The next season when I came back from my ACL I had my best season at St. Bonaventure.

Hoopsfix: So, you’re now with UWIC in EBL Division 1 and BUCS Premier…how are you finding the team this year so far, as you guys are trying to repeat a championship run?

SC: This years team has a different feel to it, we have had a turn around in players from last season, with a few leaving and a few new recruits. The league is very strong this year, now that Division 1 has dropped to eight teams, every weekend is a challenge and you most certainly have to come prepared to bring your ‘A’ game, no matter who you’re playing against. We work very hard during the week, with four shooting sessions, two team training sessions, along with strength and conditioning twice a week, Damian has created a great basketball environment here in Cardiff.

Hoopsfix: How is playing for Damian? And also David Bailey, since he took over heading up the BUCS side?

SC: Damian is really coming into his own as a coach; he has definitely built up a great programme here at UWIC in such a short space of time. I admire his ambition and work ethic so much, he truly strives for success and wants the same for all of us, not just the team but also improving our standard as players…. David has stepped into the role as the BUCS Head Coach really well, he too has come a long way in his coaching, really admire his passion for the game and the time and effort he puts in.

Hoopsfix: After suffering your first losses in BUCS and National league this last week you’re still leading in both competitions, can you talk about what happened in those losses and any changes you may make to bounce back to continue your title defences?

SC: Losing like we did during that week is never easy to deal with…The BUCS and National League games were quite similar in regards to how the other teams raised their game and we simply did not. I believe we have the potential to beat these teams, like we have in previous games; however, we tend to get ourselves into slumps which can last for a significant period of time. We definitely have to work on consistency and engagement throughout the whole game and with that our discipline at the defensive end.

Hoopsfix: Looking back to the summer, congratulations on a successful campaign. How was your time with the Great Britain team and the addition to Tom Maher as Head Coach?

SC: My time with GB this summer was amazing, when you look back on it all; it was a long three months of training camp on top of prep matches and then the games in August for the Eurobasket competition. It is so great to get the results we did after putting so much time in preparing and bettering ourselves. I feel as though we have made significant strides in developing our style of play, and making a name for ourselves at the international level.

As for Tom Maher, I have never had a coach quite like him, his style and ideas are challenging yet refreshing. He strives to get the best out of everyone, and will simply tell you how it is, he expects us to play to a certain standard and if we don’t meet those standards then you are clearly not going to make the cut. He is cut throat, but with that you admire his passion for the game and the experiences he has had to date, he has definitely put us on the right track to being Olympic hopefuls.

Hoopsfix: What about off the court? Do you have any good stories to share from the summer?

SC: Of course, all the travelling we got to do was great, seeing new places and visiting countries you would probably never visit if it weren’t for hoops. I really enjoyed our time in Israel, we were in Tel Aviv and right on the beach. On the last day of our trip we went to Jerusalem and toured the old city, it was absolutely amazing, we definitely could have spent much more time looking around. I wasn’t feeling the best that day as it was a very hot, somehow I managed to eat something that went off, I’m blaming it on the hummus, but anyhow, the next day I was violently sick on the plane home to the UK. I managed to puke all over the aisle but in return I got put into first class and it was my first time, a shame I couldn’t really enjoy the experience but they made a nice little bed for me with lots of blankets and pillows and then I just passed out for the rest of the flight.

Hoopsfix: Looking ahead, how are you feeling about Poland 2011 and the European Championships?

SC: I am absolutely thrilled…. The thought of playing in the European Championships is just unbelievable. We will definitely have the toughest challenge to date, since GB first banded together. We can only build upon what we accomplished this summer, and hopefully everyone has gone away feeling inspired, motivated to improve and are making the most out of their professional seasons in various countries.

Hoopsfix: Any shout-outs at all?

SC: Would love, love, love to give a big shout-out to my family, my Mom and Dad, Sam and Tim, and Butch and Ellie….Miss you and love you guys so much!