Lucio Semedo - Basketball Coach

Very grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as Head Coach of the London Region U13 Boys once again.

More than anything, this experience reminded me just how much talent we have in London and across the UK, and how much work is being done every day to support young players.

The BasketballEngland pathway is so important. It gives players the opportunity to represent their region, compete, learn and experience the game at another level. It also brings together so much of the great work already happening within grassroots clubs, schools and communities.

A huge amount of credit must go to all the regions and coaches involved. The standard of the players was a reflection of the time, care and commitment being invested into them throughout the country.

I also want to give a massive thank you to the entire London Region staff. Our RTM, CD, Team Managers and everyone working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the programme ran properly and the boys had the best possible experience.

To Coach Distras, Coach Valaris, Coach Blake and our Strength and Conditioning Coach Alfred, thank you. Your support, energy, honesty, knowledge and care for the boys meant so much. You all went above and beyond to help create a safe, supportive and challenging environment where the players could learn, express themselves and grow.

A big thank you as well to the parents and families of every player selected. Your time, sacrifices, support and trust play such a big part in making opportunities like this possible.

And finally, to the boys, thank you. You represented London with pride. Your energy, effort, coachability and togetherness made this experience a special one. Finishing second was a great achievement, but the biggest success was seeing the growth, character and connection within the group.

It was a real pleasure and a humbling experience to show up for London once again.

Proud of the boys. Grateful for the staff. Thankful for the opportunity.

Basketball is the tool. Growth is the goal.

The longer I coach, the more I realise:

It’s not just what you teach.
It’s what players experience every day.

Before skills develop, before results come, young people are shaped by how they feel in your environment.

Do they feel seen?
Do they feel safe?
Do they feel supported and challenged?

Because that’s what builds confidence.
That’s what builds resilience.
That’s what builds belief.

And over time, that’s what shapes identity.

As coaches, we don’t just run sessions.
We create environments.

And that changes everything.

The longer I coach, the more I realise the game is only part of the story.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of seeing young people grow through different stages of life from their early foundational years, through development, into performance, and sometimes even into adulthood.

In some cases, I’m still there, still supporting their journey.

That’s the real privilege of coaching.