Telegram & Gazette "Worcester-Worcester Connection"

Posted Feb. 23, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Updated Feb 23, 2016 at 6:45 PM

In January, Felix Hallam left Worcester to come to Worcester.

Hallam coaches the women's basketball team at the University of Worcester in England, but this semester he's been helping out with the Worcester State women's basketball team while taking part in a study abroad program. The 23-year-old Hallam, who is also a student at the University of Worcester, is enrolled in four classes at Worcester State.

"I wanted to see how you guys do it," Hallam said, "what the NCAA is and what the differences (in the game) are between here and at home."

Several years ago, the Lancers did an exchange program with the University of Worcester, playing a game there and staying with local families, so coach Karen Tessmer said it was nice to re-establish the Worcester-Worcester connection.

"Felix comes to practice every day and adds a different perspective," Tessmer said. "It's a fresh look at what we do. He's been a great addition to our staff."

Hallam and another student took over coaching the University of Worcester team last September. The other student, who graduates this year, is running the team while Hallam is here. Hallam, who graduates in 2017, will continue to lead the team next season.

He wants to pursue a career in coaching. In fact, his major is sports coaching. Among his classes back home are contemporary issues in sports, performance analysis and sports physiology.

"My whole focus is on coaching as my profession," he said.

At Worcester State, Hallam is taking a coaching class, yoga ("That's a really good technique to teach the players," he said), Spanish and a management course.

Among his observations on women's basketball in the U.S. are that "the game is a lot more intense here," he said. "You guys take it a lot more serious here, which I think is fantastic."

He said there is little, if any, scouting or film study back home. "When we get to the game, we just turn up, warm up and play."

Also, there are no pregame introductions or playing of the national anthem.

"And we don't have a proper bench," Hallam said. "It's just an old wooden school bench."

Hallam said the women play four quarters, like the women's NCAA switched to this year, and with a 24-second shot clock.

"It's a little different style of play," Hallam said. "I feel like we play a little bit faster, but we don't have as good shot makers."

Hallam hopes the popularity of women's basketball in England continues.

"It's definitely growing," he said, "but it's still very small, it its infancy."

Tessmer has seen to it that Hallam gets a full experience on his visit. He went to a New England Patriots game, and she plans to take him to a Holy Cross women's basketball practice as well as a UConn women's practice.

Hallam was a special guest at the Worcester Area College Basketball Association's annual luncheon earlier this week.

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