My time in Worcester
Before coming to Worcester Sergi was a second year business student at La Salle Barcelona. Whilst studying Sergi played in the Spanish national EBA league for “UE Sant Cugat”.
Sergi came to the University of Worcester as an exchange student thanks to an international partnership with La Salle Barcelona which allowed him complete his third year abroad. Sergi wanted to keep improving his English, whilst embracing a different cultural experience and Worcester felt like a perfect fit because of the business course and basketball program.
Now at the end of the season, Sergi has returned back home to Spain. So we caught up with him to find out what he thought about his time in Worcester
Once you got to Worcester in September did it live up to your expectations.
Completely, the city was great, its people was really nice to me since day one and the University provided all the necessary things for me to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
What was it like playing with fellow country men, Bruno and Ian?
It was great! As a newcomer they introduced me to everyone and they soon became two of my best friends in the city. Inside of the court, it was great to play alongside Ian, one of the best scorers in the league and also with Bruno, who shares the same “fast-break” mentality as myself.
You also got the opportunity to be coached by Andreas Farakos. What was that like.
I believe I speak on behalf of the team when I say that it was a gift this year to have Coach Andreas in the team. His knowledge about the game and his professional experience with Valencia Basket enhanced the team to a new level.
In your only year with us you got the opportunity to play with our Mens 1st team as well as the Worcester Wolves?
It has been great to be part of both teams this season. Being able to play twice a week in different leagues and against different people really has been a great experience. Personally, I believe that playing in the challenging BUCS Premier league on Wednesdays helped the team to be better prepared for our NBL Wolves games on the weekends.
What have you enjoyed most about your time in England?
The University of Worcester is a really international place with students from many different countries and cultures. So, I would say that being able to meet and learn from a diverse student body was the best thing about my time here.
Coach Dean said ” Sergi has been great for us this season on both ends of the floor. When he comes on, you know he’s going to give you a spark of energy. He makes things happen on both ends of the floor. It’s a shame he’s only here for one season, we’ve definitely enjoyed having him here with us. I know he’s had a great time here as a student athlete. I wish him all the best in the future”
What’s are some of your favourites memories from the season?
I believe that went I look back to this season I will remember, among other things, the great atmosphere that was breathen in home games. The Arena was always filled with many local families and kids, which was really felt as our 6th man. From those times played at the Arena, the moment on the Semi-final playoff game when London Thunder miss the three that let us advance to the Playoff Final is my favourite moment. The excitement and the adrenaline from that moment is unforgettable.
Being from Spain, there’s a different culture to the UK, weathers different, food is different. What was your favourite food that you wish you had in Spain.
My favourite English food by far is an English breakfast wrap. Without beans though. I do not know why you guys put beans with everything lol
At the start of the season did you think you’d be part of a team that would win the league and get to the playoff final?
To be honest, I always believed we had a team that could compete in the NBL. We did not only have great players in different positions but I also think that the group really got along with each other, which chemistry helped the team be more efficient on the court while achieving the objectives set at the beginning of the season.
Finally, what are your plans when you return home?
I’ll be spending May at home with my family, whilst volunteering for a local organization to help a 12 year old Ukrainian boy to establish himself in the city and learn some Spanish. During May I will also be attending the Basketball Champions League Final 4 in Bilbao, Spain. I am really excited about that because the city in Spain where I am from (Manresa) will be competing in it. Apart from that, I am now in the process of getting a Visa to go get another experience away from home during the whole summer in Sydney, Australia where the plan is to be working and sightseeing with a friend. As the summer ends my plan is to end my Business degree in La Salle Barcelona while I keep playing basketball.
Sounds like a great time ahead for Sergi. We wish him all the best in the future. He’s promised he’ll come back and visit, so hopefully we see him back in Worcester soon. If you’d like to know more about study abroad opportunities here at UW, please click here
