Coach Speedy adds three more recruits
June 18, 2013
One from here, one from over there and one from Down Under.
And now, they're all going to be teammates with the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds women's basketball program.
The recruiting hits just keep on coming for UNB head coach Jeff Speedy as he continues in his workshop to assemble the necessary pieces to get the Varsity Reds back into the Atlantic University Sport playoffs.
UNB will welcome former Fredericton High Black Kats' starter Laura Kaye, Kiley DeLong from St. John's, Nfld., via St. Francis Xavier University and Laura Bamford from Coff's Harbour, Australia.
Three-pointer.
Kaye will enter her first season at UNB studying kinesiology and will certainly be familiar with her surroundings on campus and at the Richard J. Currie Center, home of the Varsity Reds.
A two-time New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association champion at the AAA level, Kaye's prowess on the court has been followed by Speedy for a few years.
"I'm very pumped that Laura is going to play for us because she has been someone I've been able to watch regularly and have watched her progress into a standout player," Speedy said. "She can play multiple positions because she's so athletic, and she loves to play defence. Any CIS coach would be excited to have a player like that."
Kaye is thrilled to stay in her hometown.
"UNB is such a good fit for me in regards to both basketball and academics," she said. "Getting to play at the CIS level in my hometown is incredibly exciting."
DeLong played three seasons in the AUS with St. Francis Xavier, but transferred to UNB where she will study geological engineering.
She's steady as a rock.
"My strengths are work ethic and tenacity," she said. "I will always give 110 per cent and that's going to be an asset to the V-Reds. I want to make a positive impact on the program and continue to learn and grow as a player and as a teammate."
Speedy agreed.
"Kiley brings elite CIS playing experience to our program," he said. "She started on one of the best teams in the AUS this past season in St F.X. and brings a toughness to our team that we definitely need. I love many things about her, especially her ability to defend, her rebounding talents and how hard she plays the game. She's a very solid package."
Bamford brings some international intrigue to the Canadian court.
She played under-18 state level for her home nation and played with the University of Technology at Sydney squad before casting her eyes and skills to Canada and Fredericton.
She will study recreation and sports studies – education preparation and can't wait to get started in her new environment.
"I thought it would be a great opportunity to travel overseas to study, and play basketball," Bamford said. "I have never been to Canada, so it is something new for me, which I am excited for. Playing basketball overseas for a university has always been something I aspired to do, once finishing school in Australia. "
It's all going to be a major learning experience.
"I'm not really sure what to expect on the court in Canada, but I have played in the United States which was a great experience and totally different to playing in Australia," she said. "I believe the game will be different again in Canada. I guess I'm expecting a bit of a quicker paced game. I expect to be pushed harder, and for an overall more intense game."
Bamford arrives with a reputation as shooter, but also buys in to Speedy's defensive mindset.
"Laura can flat out shoot the basketball," he said. "The first time I saw her work out she didn't miss for about 10 minutes. And she loves to play D as well which is not always the case with someone who loves to shoot the ball. It is exciting for our program to have another international student athlete join our family."
For further information please contact:
Jeff Speedy jspeedy@unb.ca
506 447 3100
And now, they're all going to be teammates with the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds women's basketball program.
The recruiting hits just keep on coming for UNB head coach Jeff Speedy as he continues in his workshop to assemble the necessary pieces to get the Varsity Reds back into the Atlantic University Sport playoffs.
UNB will welcome former Fredericton High Black Kats' starter Laura Kaye, Kiley DeLong from St. John's, Nfld., via St. Francis Xavier University and Laura Bamford from Coff's Harbour, Australia.
Three-pointer.
Kaye will enter her first season at UNB studying kinesiology and will certainly be familiar with her surroundings on campus and at the Richard J. Currie Center, home of the Varsity Reds.
A two-time New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association champion at the AAA level, Kaye's prowess on the court has been followed by Speedy for a few years.
"I'm very pumped that Laura is going to play for us because she has been someone I've been able to watch regularly and have watched her progress into a standout player," Speedy said. "She can play multiple positions because she's so athletic, and she loves to play defence. Any CIS coach would be excited to have a player like that."
Kaye is thrilled to stay in her hometown.
"UNB is such a good fit for me in regards to both basketball and academics," she said. "Getting to play at the CIS level in my hometown is incredibly exciting."
DeLong played three seasons in the AUS with St. Francis Xavier, but transferred to UNB where she will study geological engineering.
She's steady as a rock.
"My strengths are work ethic and tenacity," she said. "I will always give 110 per cent and that's going to be an asset to the V-Reds. I want to make a positive impact on the program and continue to learn and grow as a player and as a teammate."
Speedy agreed.
"Kiley brings elite CIS playing experience to our program," he said. "She started on one of the best teams in the AUS this past season in St F.X. and brings a toughness to our team that we definitely need. I love many things about her, especially her ability to defend, her rebounding talents and how hard she plays the game. She's a very solid package."
Bamford brings some international intrigue to the Canadian court.
She played under-18 state level for her home nation and played with the University of Technology at Sydney squad before casting her eyes and skills to Canada and Fredericton.
She will study recreation and sports studies – education preparation and can't wait to get started in her new environment.
"I thought it would be a great opportunity to travel overseas to study, and play basketball," Bamford said. "I have never been to Canada, so it is something new for me, which I am excited for. Playing basketball overseas for a university has always been something I aspired to do, once finishing school in Australia. "
It's all going to be a major learning experience.
"I'm not really sure what to expect on the court in Canada, but I have played in the United States which was a great experience and totally different to playing in Australia," she said. "I believe the game will be different again in Canada. I guess I'm expecting a bit of a quicker paced game. I expect to be pushed harder, and for an overall more intense game."
Bamford arrives with a reputation as shooter, but also buys in to Speedy's defensive mindset.
"Laura can flat out shoot the basketball," he said. "The first time I saw her work out she didn't miss for about 10 minutes. And she loves to play D as well which is not always the case with someone who loves to shoot the ball. It is exciting for our program to have another international student athlete join our family."
For further information please contact:
Jeff Speedy jspeedy@unb.ca
506 447 3100