We caught up with Nuri just before the start of pre-season. It’s been a long summer for the women’s programme. With the departure of former coach Ryan Emery. There was a considerable amount of time before his replacement was appointed. This put a huge strain upon the University programme and the Worcester Wolves.
After a long wait, we finally have a coach for the women’s team. Like many other players you were waiting for an appointment to be made before deciding on whether to stay and study a Masters, here in Worcester. What was the off season like for you?
Summer is always about building upon your last season, from an individual perspective. So getting ready for the new season was my main focus. I’m excited that I get to to stay in Worcester for one more year and study for my MSc. Although the wait for a new coach was definitely challenging it was also exciting to see what the change would bring to the team and to my personal development.
What Masters course are you studying and what’s the motivation for you to study a Masters?
My family has always been my biggest motivator to do anything, specially now that I’m starting my applied sport science MSc, but also the passion I have for science and sport, I am excited to see what I can do after I finish.
Now we have Coach Kieran, what are you looking forward to for the new season?
Coach Kieran was my assistant coach during my first season with the Wolves so it will be fun to be back working with him again as the head coach now. I’m also excited to see what the difference in coaching style will do to my game as so far I feel very motivated and prepared for the new season and I’m excited to be better alongside all my teammates that have been putting the work in through summer.
You’ll now be one of the senior players within the squad. How will you look to support incoming players?
I’m excited to be able to offer as much support off and on the court for all the new and current players, after having done my undergrad here at Worcester, I definitely have some tips on how to manage all the workload we have.
Grace Brownell and Jess Santo are planning to play with the Worcester Wolves. What will it be like to be back on the court with them?
Knowing that I get to play with my old teammates and some of my closest friends is definitely a very exciting part of this new season and I can’t wait for the first game together.
This summer you were part of the coaching staff for the Worcester Valencia Basketball Camp, what was it like coaching on the camp for the first time?
At the start I wasn’t sure what to expect from the camp, but it was definitely the best coaching experience I’ve had, it was a challenging week where I was out outsdie my comfort zone and it really helped my coaching and personal development.
Competing in WNBL1 with the Worcester Wolves what are you goals for the season?
My main focus this season is to leave everything I’ve been working on through summer on court from game 1 and keep building on it through out the season.
With the WNBL season underway, our Worcester Wolves women are currently 1-2. Their win was a strong road victory over Cardiff Archers. With their first BUCS fixture cancelled and their second game looking like that will be cancelled. It will be a few weeks before we see Nuri in a UW Basketball uniform. However fortunately Nuri and the team can stay sharp and ready with the competition provided in the WNBL
