RSV Bayreuth wheelchair basketball: challenge and new goals!

RSV Bayreuth wheelchair basketball: challenge and new goals!

Bayreuth, Deutschland - The challenge that the RSV Bayreuth has to take in the first division in a wheelchair basketball is enormous. Coach Andre Hopp knows about the difficulties that the ascent brings and explains: "The step from the second to the first division is huge in terms of level." In his eyes, preparation for this new challenge is of central importance for the team.

The first game in the new league took place on October 5 against the "Thuringia Bulls" in Elxleben. With a clear result of 31: 109 points, the Bayreuth had to give up. However, Hopp emphasizes that the defeat was not a surprise, but should be seen as a valuable learning process. "We noticed against this strong opponent where we are," he explains what enables the team to realize their own skills.

team spirit and personal development

One of the players, Dominik Langer, who has recently been part of the team, also attaches importance to team feeling and personal improvement. "The team feeling is one of the most important," he emphasizes. Langer is new in Bayreuth and has already settled in well. "I want to get better with every game," he adds and emphasizes how important support from the environment is. "I am very grateful to my mother that she supports me, and now I also have contacts with the team who are there for me."

In the first weeks of the season, the focus is on getting to know each other and testing different player positions to find out the strengths of each individual. "Each of us has points, depending on how fuselage stabilized we are," explains Langer, pointing out that not all team members use a wheelchair in everyday life. The distribution of points is essential because the team must not have more than 14.5 points.

The preparations for the upcoming games are in full swing. On October 12, RSV Bayreuth will compete against the BBC Münsterland in the Oberfrankenhalle. Hopp remains optimistic and is convinced that they will learn from their mistakes. "We filed our defensive again before the game and want to look for more wheelchair contact," he says. Another focus is on improving the switching game.

Another team member, Svenja Mayer, brings an additional perspective. She has been playing wheelchair basketball since 2016 and has been in the national team since 2018. Before every game, she has a very personal ritual that helps her to stay focused. "I always do Sudoku for a few minutes," she explains. Meyer describes what distinguishes a sports wheelchair from an everyday wheelchair and emphasizes the special adaptation that is crucial for the performance. "The sports wheelchair has a ram bracket and weird wheels that give me more stability," she explains. For them, the correct fit and the reaction of the wheelchair to body movements are of central importance.

Finally, the home game date in the Oberfrankenhalle is planned for October 12, and the players of RSV Bayreuth are ready to face this exciting new challenge. The pressure is high, but the motivation to develop and learn remains unbroken. Hopp already sees the next task on October 19 in Munich, where they will compete against the "RBB Munich Iguanas", which in his opinion are a blankable opponent. "We learn from our mistakes and do our homework," is his motto of success, to make the fans and supporters of RSV Bayreuth.