The Mancunian forward is facing up to the task of leading Great Britain into a new era, but her focus is simply on improving and helping those around her.
Sunday’s MEN Arena clash with the WNBA stars of Atlanta Dream is the latest step towards a whole new ball game for British women’s basketball.
“It’s a time of firsts,” said Page. “The first time we have been accepted to the Olympics; the first time the WNBA players have been over here; the first time I’ve played such a big game in my home city – and, personally, now I’m captain, the first time for that too.”
London 2012 is obviously the main event, but Great Britain head to Poland for Eurobasket 2011 after their Dream date and their first major championships.
The Arena show-piece is the final part of preparations for the tests ahead – and one Page is thrilled to be involved in.
“Everyone knows about American basketball,” she said.
“It’s something very exciting to have them here. We have been stepping up over the last few years and trying to reach the level of the best teams in the world. We have shown we are not far away.
“We are excited to see where we at.
“It’s the first time I have played at such a competitive level in my home town and I can’t wait.”
The 28-year-old has been playing the game since her teenage years as a Stockport schoolgirl, progressing to the Stockport Lapwings club and on to the Eastern Washington University in the US via Loughborough University.
And after a spell playing professionally in France she has designs on another paid job in Europe next season.
But for now, her thoughts are all about Great Britain – and helping coach Tom Maher’s largely young team, which includes fellow Mancunian Lauren Thomas-Johnson, through challenging times.
“Last summer was a pivotal time,” she said. “I was starting to emerge as one of the older more experienced players when Tom made me captain.
“I’m comfortable with it and am aware it’s a larger role.
“I remember when I was young, the captain – then Jane Thackery – was a great help. I learned a lot from her and hope I can do something similar for the young players around now.”
Warm-up tournamenta in Guildford and Turkey have brought a couple of encouraging wins over Latvia and Montenegro and Page said: “Our thing is to be fighters.
“Once we get organised, we fight together and that’s our game. I think we started to see that last week.”
Sunday’s glamour friendly against the Dream will continue the tough learning curve, Page admits.
But she added: “There’s no point in having easy games. Poland are going to challenge us.
“So we need to be challenged and these three games are going to be good for us.”
Fans purchasing tickets for the WNBA event will receive the first opportunity to buy tickets for the USA v Great Britain games next year. They are available online from men-arena.com and ticketmaster.co.uk or via phone at 0844 847 8000.
Follow on Twitter @MENbasketball and @mcrbasketball Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
There are no comments about this at the moment.