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Lisa set to join professional ranks

Sarah Tarpey
31/ 7/2008

HEYWOOD basketball player Lisa Hutchinson is set to represent Great Britain in the women’s European Championship in Cardiff and is planning a move abroad to play professionally at club level.

Great Britain play their first group match against Ukraine on 13 August. To progress to the finals they will need to finish first or second in their group. The team are joined in Group A by Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany and Israel.

Lisa, 25, admits she is a bit small for a basketball player at 5ft 7in. However, as point guard her role in the team doesn’t require height but pace and quick thinking.

"I’m the play maker in the team so I have the ball a lot of the time, run with it and set up others", Lisa explains.

For the last eight years Lisa has been playing for one of the most successful sides in England, the Sheffield Hatters, who are the reigning national league champions. But this coming season will sees a big change to her career.

"This September I’m turning professional and playing in Tenerife. I was a teacher but quit to become a full-time basketball player," she said.

"I’ve played internationally since I was 14. I’d played for England but the GB coach contacted me. I’ve now got 12 caps for Great Britain now".

The Great Britain women’s side last year earned promotion to Division A, and Lisa is hoping that the team can keep up the good work.

"My ambition with the national side is to compete in the London 2012 Olympics which we will do if we stay in Division A".