TIME-OUT 4.0 gets underway with 37 participants

NEWCASTLE (UK) – A large group of players wearing wide smiles would normally signify they are celebrating a big victory, but the 37-strong basketball team that gathered in Northern England the last week of June was rejoicing for an off-court win.

These players, who have either recently retired or are approaching the end of their careers, have all been selected to participate in the fourth installment of TIME-OUT, the program that FIBA Europe developed in partnership with Northumbria University.

The 37 participants that attended the kick-off workshop in Newcastle represent 23 different National Federations, with former Brazilian international Vitor Benite, a two-time BCL champion, the only non-European born among them.

French international Endene Miyem and Serbian international Jelena Brooks stand out as both Olympics medalists and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket champions. Meanwhile fellow Serbian Dejan Majstorovic, a former 3x3 World Champion, and Hungarian legend Adam Hanga were among the prominent men participants.

The workshop got underway with an official opening speech from FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak, and the first day schedule focused on Good Governance sessions.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis greeted the participants via Zoom on the second day, which continued with sessions on Strategic Planning and a visit to the Newcastle Red Bulls Rugby Club.

The third day of the workshop included sessions on Leadership, Management Reflection and Academic Skills and a visit to St James’ Park, the famed stadium which is home to Premier League club Newcastle United.

The workshop came to a conclusion on the fourth day with a range of activities at Vertu Motors Arena, the home venue of the Newcastle Eagles Basketball Club, and sessions on FIBA Business of Sport.

TIME-OUT, which aims to help professional athletes open new career pathways and provide them with the skills and knowledge to become successful leaders and managers, has already been established as one of the most prestigious postgraduate-level courses in its sector.

Participants who successfully complete the course will graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Management, providing a route to a Master’s level qualification.

Next on the curriculum for TIME-OUT 4.0 is a series of online learning sessions over the coming months, before the next four-day workshop, which is to be held in Antwerp, Belgium in June 2027.

The course will conclude with a graduation ceremony at FIBA headquarters in Switzerland in August-September 2027.

List of TIME-OUT 4.0 participants

FIBA