By Jamie Thomas
They’ve not shouted about it, but considering the change there has been in the club from 12 months ago in terms of playing and coaching staff, the Leicester Riders have had a super season so far in the WBBL Championship, currently on course to secure a home berth in the WBBL Playoff quarter-finals.
A key component of a new-look, young, versatile roster, Hannah Robb has once again been one of the standout British talents across the league this year and is excited for a busy stretch of games that lays ahead of her and her team over the coming weeks as the Playoffs approach.
“We are pleased with how the season has progressed and we’re in a good position right now. Like all teams, we’ve faced a few challenges this year and have been up and down, but we’ve tried to go about our business quietly and let our performances speak for themselves.
“We have had a tough couple of weeks, not really getting the results we’re capable of getting – we start games really well but have struggled to close some of them out, so we’ve got some little adjustments to make and we’ve been working really hard to be ready for this important stretch.
“It is really great to see the season so competitive with eight or nine teams competing for seven spots. We know it’ll be a challenge to close out the year the way we want but we’re excited for the opportunity to show consistency and play together to secure the best possible playoff spot.”
“I try to lead more by example.”
As one of the players remaining in the squad from last season, where the Riders won the WBBL Cup and produced a superb showing in the Championship, there was always going to be more onus on the likes of the young Scot, Robb, to lead the team this season, and she has done so with distinction.
The 23-year-old is still so young herself, but leadership appears to suit her well as her high-energy, all-action style seems to inspire the players around her, and Robb discussed how much the task of leading has been enjoyable for her.
“Adopting more of a leadership role has had its challenges, of course, but I knew coming into the season as part of a much younger and newer team that I’d have to step up and take more responsibility for that kind of thing, and I’ve enjoyed it for sure.
“I try to lead more by example, by the way that I play – I like to play hard all the time and that is something I’m able to show. I try and lead that way instead of being more vocal a leader, perhaps, and as somebody who is still quite young I want to build on that as I get more experience.
“There has been something for all of us to learn from every game, whether we’ve won or lost, and a focus of mine has just been to keep my energy levels high and always find a way to learn from the wins and the losses so we’re better in the next game.”
“It is just a really fun take on 5v5.”
Robb returns to the Riders ahead of this weekend following a mid-week return to Scotland to compete for her nation in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 3×3 Qualifiers, where she played alongside London Lions’ Kennedy Leonard and Caledonia Pride’s Sian Phillips and Erin McGarrahan to secure Scotland’s place in this summer’s tournament.
The energetic young star, Robb, admitted that whilst she hadn’t properly competed in 3×3 previously, she saw a number of qualities in the small-sided version of the game that she feels can help her grow in the 5v5 game and develop the 5v5 game itself as well.
“It was the first time I’d properly played 3×3 and I had so much fun. I really enjoyed it and I think it suits my style as a player. I like to shoot the basketball, I can get to the hoop and I like to hustle and play tough defence, so I really enjoyed the freedom of it which I can definitely take back into 5v5.
“I love the pace of 3×3, the high-energy nature of it, and I think it can only help improve participation and so on as well. It is such a fun game and it does really help develop your core skills which you need to be successful in 5v5 as well.
“There’s more space, obviously, as there’s only three of you. It is the same size ball for men and women at all ages in 3×3, so as players get older they can play together and build up those skills. It is just a really fun take on 5v5 and I think it’ll really help engage new players and increase participation.”
The season-ending WBBL Playoffs take place at London’s 02 Arena on Sunday, May 15th, and you can get your tickets for the showpiece event here now!