Meet Lauren Milligan: Basketball England Leadership and Performance Programme

Lauren Milligan is one of 12 participants in the inaugural Basketball England Leadership and Performance Programme.

Currently coaching in the Oaklands College set-up, Lauren answers a host of questions on her career in coaching so far. 

The first intake is all-female as part of Basketball England's #AllGirls campaign which aims to inspire more women and girls to take part in the sport.

Run in conjunction with UK Coaching, it has been designed to support the development of influential and upcoming coaches ready to lead and inspire a generation of future athletes.

The coaches selected to take part in the first edition of the programme along with Lauren are: Renee Busch, Sue Gilmour, Annie Scanlon, Johannah Leedham-Warner, Azeb Smalley, Kiely Reed, Ivana Sendecka, Claire Harper, Hannah Shaw, Cristina Stanciuca, Sarah Wagstaff.

Heavyweight speakers

The programme has hosted two online sessions so far with some heavyweight guest speakers interacting with the participants.

Dr Jane Booth, Authentic Leadership Expert and Leadership Development Innovator, Sandy Brondello, Australian Opals and Phoenix Mercury Head Coach and Kate Maher, former international player and Nike Senior Director, addressed the second meeting of the programme recently.

Liz Burkinshaw, Learning and People development Consultant, Helen Bradshaw, of Royal Mail and Rebecca Symes of Sporting Success and GB Hockey spoke at the first.

It is hoped the programme will culminate, following at least four more sessions, with a coaching clinic - Covid-allowing - in August.