Ahead of the season-ending WBBL Play-off Finals, we caught up with London Lions’ Jo Leedham-Warner who contributed this special column looking ahead to the event.
I’m super proud of our team. When we put this group together people obviously had their expectations and opinions, but what I’ve been so proud of is how we’ve grown and played every game at our absolute best level.
We’ve not cruised or taken it easy in any game, we’ve given our best every night and respected every team because they all deserve to face us at our best and fans of the league deserve to see us at our best. We’ve played hard in every game and taken huge strides.
What we’ve done this year has certainly helped put British Basketball on the map in Europe. I’ve spoken to a lot of former teammates and people I know in the game in Europe and they’ve all said ‘you guys are pretty good’ with a tone of surprise in their voice, in a good way!
We’re trying to show that Women’s Basketball is here in Britain and that we are moving in the right direction. We have great young players coming through, we have established talent all over the world, and we want to inspire other young girls that they can do this and be like us.
We know we’re in for a real challenge against Sevenoaks today. They’re a great team and every time we play them the game is completely different, so it is hard to know what to expect.
The Suns are so experienced and they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at us, so we’re looking forward to another great game between two teams that play with huge passion and energy.
Last time we played them at Surrey Sports Park it was a great game of basketball – really close – and although we won the game, I’m sure they’ll have enjoyed such a great match as well, so I’m looking forward to doing it all again on such a big stage in front of a big crowd.
I feel like my whole career I’ve been a pretty humble person, but I feel like this year I’m definitely going to get to the end of the season and say it: I’m so proud of myself!
Motherhood is so hard and trying to come back after having a baby and finding yourself again as an athlete and a person and getting back into the game without putting pressure on yourself, it has been so hard, but such a rewarding experience.
When I finish games and my daughter is there it is just so special, and it puts everything into perspective too. You don’t have as long to complain or be down about games because it is straight back to motherhood, but having your kid there – especially as she’s a girl – is so special to me, and I hope I’m paving the way for her to show that women can do whatever they want.
We’re strong, whatever we put our minds to we can do it, and it just means so much more having her on the sidelines – this experience is something that is going to stay in my heart forever.