Basketball Lecturer Named Assistant Coach of National Team

University of Worcester lecturer and Worcester Wolves Assistant Coach, Alex Radu, has been named the Assistant Coach of the Senior Romanian Women’s Basketball team.

Alex, originally from Iasi in north-east Romania, was confirmed as assistant to Head Coach Florin Nini by the country’s Basketball Federation last week.

The role will see Alex combine his commitments at the University and with the Worcester Wolves with helping to prepare the Romanian team for the sport’s European Championships – Eurobasket – in 2015.

Alex says: “I am absolutely delighted, it is a great honour for me to be able to represent my country in this coaching role. It’s a dream come true; as a player I always dreamt of playing for the national team – it never quite happened, but now, it’s happening as a coach.

“I feel very privileged to be in this situation and I am very grateful to Florin Nini, who has trusted me and given me this responsibility.”

Since joining the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science in 2010, Alex has played an instrumental role in the development of the prestigious MSc in Basketball Coaching Science, which is about to enter its fifth year and has attracted professional player and coaches from across Europe.

As Assistant Coach to Paul James at the Worcester Wolves, he has helped to mastermind the team’s rise to prominence – they currently sit top of the British Basketball League.

The Wolves’ regular season comes to an end in April, with Alex then departing for Romania for a series games, tournaments and training camps, which will give the coaching team the chance to assess their squad.

Of the challenge of preparing the team for the European Championships, Alex says: “It’s not going to be easy, and I am expecting some very hard work to be done, but I am very optimistic and ready for the challenge.”

Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science at the University, adds: “We are all thrilled for Alex and the recognition that this role brings both to him and the thriving programme at the University of Worcester.

“One of the great things about this reward for Alex will be the opportunity to share his experiences with our students, He is a passionate and committed coach and I am sure he will do well.”

For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk