Olympic Triple in the CB Caxton

With the recent incorporation of the former professional basketball player María Pina, this British school’s sport club now has three past Olympic competitors as coaches.

In 2016 Ana Bélen Álvaro, a player for Spanish National women’s basketball whose team won a Eurobasket title and played at the Olympic Games, took over the competition sport club at Caxton College with the aim of making it a sporting reference point.

“When I started several years ago, my goal was to professionalise sport coaching at the school and take it to a higher level of excellence and competition. During this time, we have started a Swimming Club and a Basketball Club, and this year we are kicking off a Tennis Academy. Regarding the Basketball Club, my current challenge is for it to be recognised as a pre-eminent sport club that continues to grow and attain achievements that please both players and their parents”, said Caxton College’s Sport Director.

Currently, the CB Caxton College has both boys’ and girls’ teams at the different age levels, from Prebenjamín to Infantil. And despite the club’s youth, its record speaks of how committed it is, not only through its team of coaches with three elite former players, but also because it has enjoyed excellent results in the different leagues where the teams compete.

María Pina, a former player for the Valencia Basket and Spanish National teams, begins her career as a coach of the Infantil team this year at the Caxton College Basketball Club. Her prior experience includes coaching at a variety of sport camps, some of them for players with diverse abilities. She said, “I am very excited to be able to share my sport experience, my inspiration and positivity in every training session. My aim is to ensure that the team is equipped with the individual abilities of each player, motivate them to the maximum and ensure that they’re happy to be on the court. At the same time, I will challenge them, because I believe motivation comes with hard work”.

Parents have a crucial role in how players evolve. On this topic, Ana Belén Álvaro said, “It’s necessary to educate parents as well, make them active participants in everything that happens to their children, give them guidelines for a positive attitude and to help their children when they’re competing, training or at home. We are happy for parents to attend training sessions and enjoy watching their children play. We talk with them frequently to ensure that the message they convey to their children is aligned with the coaches’ message”.

This slate of former top professional players was joined last season by Piluca Alonso, who is excited to continue coaching for the CB Caxton this season. “We’re all part of the same thing, for better or for worse. I feel very committed to this club because ‘team’ is the key word. I love being able to share my knowledge and experiences with young players and instil in them the values and emotions of basketball beyond the court. Athletes are very demanding of ourselves; we always want to do our best, which is how we are able to convey that rigour to our young players. We love it when players understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it at each point in time, and to be an active participant in the learning process”.

A point that reflects the commitment of this basketball club is the methodology that they are starting this season with some of the teams. “Positions drills are where teams work to improve their tactical play. One coach is in charge of the centre players and another is with the outside players. Then they get together and practise triangle offenses. The players are really going to enjoy this because it’s going to improve their game significantly”, said Ana Belén Álvaro.

Regarding the demands placed on the players, the CB Caxton Sport Director believes it is one of the most important aspects of the relationship between the coaches and players. “It’s fundamental for a coach to understand each player. For them to observe players carefully. The better the coach can analyse the player overall, the better able the coach will be to adjust the demands placed on each member of the team. A coach can only ask that players give what they are capable of, whilst instilling in them the need to strive for more. But also teach them to make their best effort, and that if they lose but they gave it their all, it’s fine”, said Ana Belén Álvaro.

With this group of coaches and basketball enthusiasts, everything indicates that the CB Caxton could become one of the most important clubs in the Valencian Region in coming years.

Group of Olympian coaches with the CB Caxton

Piluca Alonso

Former player for the Spanish National women’s basketball team as centre.

She made history with the Spanish National team as a member of the first women’s team to win a European Cup.

She played on the Spanish National team in the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

She played in Basketball World Cups in Germany and Australia.

Former player for different national clubs. With the Dorna Godella her team won three league championships and a Club World Cup. With the Celta her team won a Queen’s Cup.

María Pina

Former player for the Spanish National women’s professional basketball team as a forward, playing in the 2006 Women’s Basketball World Championship.

Player for the Valencia Basket team in the seasons between 2018-2021. Formerly a player for other clubs in Spain such as Estudiantes and Perfumerías Avenida Salamanca.

Her trophies include a women’s league, two Queen’s Cups, a Spanish Supercopa and a Eurobasket Cup.

Ana Belén Álvaro

Former player for the Spanish National women’s professional basketball team as a point guard, playing on 202 occasions.

Chosen the best point guard in Europe twice.

Her trophies include six Spanish leagues, four Queen’s Cups, two European leagues, a Spanish Supercopa and a Eurobasket Cup, two European gold medals and fifth place in the Barcelona Olympic Games.