Former Lakehead player Kathryn Verboom signs contract in Germany

THUNDER BAY, Ont. - After taking a year off to teach and coach at Timmins High School, two-time OUA All-star Kathryn Verboom of Thunder Bay, Ontario, has decided that she is not done playing basketball at an elite level.  Verboom has signed a contract to play for the Towers Speyer-Schifferstadt Basketball Club in the South-Western Germany city of Speyer.

Speyer is the training centre for high potential players in the region of Rheinland-Pflaz.  The coaches of their many youth club programs work in close cooperation with the national team coaches. There are teams from under 8 through under 20 plus three Ladies Teams and two Men’s Teams. 

“Kathryn worked extremely hard to get to this point in her basketball career and I am extremely happy that Coach Gould has given her this opportunity,” Thunderwolves Head Coach Jon Kreiner said.  “Verboom is the example of how hard and dedicated players need to be in our program to be successful and I am very proud of her.”

Kathryn Verboom will be playing for the “Ladies First Team” which has competed the last four years in the German 2nd League (division 2).  Last year was the team’s most successful year as they reached the playoffs only to lose in the semi finals (two games to one) to the eventual Play Off winners.

The league is very competitive with 12 teams and with many teams having Senior and Junior National Team players on them.  The “Towers” consist of players from its successful youth and “Individual Training” program, and players who are students. 

Kathryn will also have a role with the club program teaching some of the younger players in the program.  The team will be rebuilding this year and, as Head Coach Mike Gould explains; “It is hoped that Kathryn will bring her experience, intensity, and leadership qualities to the team.  There will be a natural transition period for her to adjust but after having a successful career at Lakehead University we are sure Kathryn will continue that success at the ‘Towers’.”

"I am excited at the prospect of playing again next year,” Verboom said.  “After taking a year off I have realized how much the game of basketball means to me, and I hope to make the most of this tremendous opportunity.  I am looking forward to playing in a small town where I can be involved with the team and its younger club programs.  I have always enjoyed the sense of community that surrounds Lakehead Athletics and I have the feeling that it will be very similar in Speyer.  I know that my role on the team may be different than what I experienced playing for the Thunderwolves, but I am elated at the prospect of playing again and contributing to the teams’ success. "

The Towers team website is www.towers-basketball.de

Source:

Lakehead Sports Info