Mery Andrade, Assistant Coach at the Toronto Raptors, has given Bournemouth University students a leadership masterclass.
In an hour-long conversation with students from the university’s Business School, she talked about her journey from her early days playing basketball in Portugal to becoming a coach in North America at one of the top teams in the world.
“Coach Andrade’s insights on the importance of empathy, adaptability, and empowering teams resonated deeply with our students and faculty alike,” said Dr Manuela Picariello from the Bournemouth University Business School.
“This event was a powerful reminder of the value in bridging the worlds of sports and business, showing us that the principles of teamwork and strategic leadership are universal,” she added.
Amongst the advice she gave to students was that effective leadership is about genuinely connecting with people and empowering them to grow, rather than dictating every action. She explained that rather than just telling people what to do, a true leader sets the stage so that the team can perform independently and confidently.
Second year Sports Management student Cheyenne Tavares was tasked to help bring the event together because of her work ethic and interest in the Women’s NBA.
“My questions for Coach Andrade centered around player relationships, trust, and emotional intelligence. I was particularly interested in this topic as I am working towards becoming a sports agent one day,” Cheyenne said.
“I enjoyed hearing about her story, advice, and experience, especially as a woman in a typically male dominated field. Something that I've taken away from this experience from Coach Andrade is to be the leader you wish you had,” she added.
Student Tom Nicol was also among the students who organized the session. He said, “for someone who loves the game as much as I do, hearing firsthand from an NBA coach was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s not just about the sport itself—it’s about the perseverance, leadership, and passion that drive success at the highest level. Events like this remind me why I love basketball so much and motivate me to keep pushing toward my own goals.”
Matvei Morozov was another student from the Business School who got to quiz Coach Andrade about her experiences in sport and management.
“A highlight for me was gaining insight into Mery Andrade’s leadership style. Her perspective emphasised the importance of adaptability in different situations—not just in sports, but in life and career as well. She spoke about the value of keeping an open mind, not closing doors on opportunities, and embracing change with confidence,” he said.
At the end of the session, Coach Andrade told the students, “Every time I get the opportunity to speak to such young, brilliant minds it is a pleasure. If you prepare yourself for the world out there the way you prepared for this interview, I have no doubt in my mind that you are going to be very successful."
The conversation with the students was live-streamed and is available to watch on YouTube.
