FIBA made another significant financial contribution to promote and develop women’s and girls’ basketball in England, with an estimated 1600 girls set to enjoy and participate in events across BE’s 10 regions at the tail end of 2024 and throughout 2025.
As part of the campaign, Essex Rebels, Milton Keynes Breakers, Northants Basketball Club and Oaklands Wolves have been selected as lead deliverers, with each club’s activities expected to reach 200 participants.
Recently, BE carried out a women and girls basketball survey, with the near-520 respondents ranking ‘increasing female participation in basketball’ as the most important goals for the organisation.
“We are very excited to be working with FIBA and the BBF on executing another fantastic edition of the HWHR campaign, especially after the success of the events that were run in the spring.
“Our recent survey has thrown light on women’s and girls’ basketball and the desire from the community for BE and other governing organisations to grow the female side of the game. For example, nearly, 100% of survey respondents said they would recommend playing basketball to a female friend and/or family member.
“Her World, Her Rules is a fantastic way for BE, the BBF and our partners to introduce more young girls to how amazing basketball is and how it can be a part of their lives. We have 30 fantastic deliverers, including four lead clubs, who will do a superb job at giving our participants a great first experience of basketball.”
Super League Basketball club Essex Rebels will be sending their professional players into schools to deliver free girls-only coaching sessions, providing all participants with a t-shirt and free tickets to a Rebels game too.
The club also plans to promote its weekly pay and play basketball session, ‘Rebels Play’, as a way for the girls involved in HWHR to maintain their interest in the sport.
Essex Rebels Player Olivia Partridge said:
“We wanted to get involved with Her World, Her Rules because we believe in empowering girls to break barriers in sport. By joining this initiative, we want to inspire girls to pursue basketball, providing them with the opportunities and confidence to thrive both on and off the court.”
Milton Keynes Breakers (MKB) plan to run on court age group sessions for girls from school years 4-9.
There will also be workshops hosted by local charities and community groups that support women and girls and its activity will finish with live basketball, as the girls get a chance to see the Breakers’ women’s team in action.
MKB’s Community Coach Paige Vyse said:
“I think it’s really important that we give young girls opportunities to practice and implement key life skills at an early age.
“Basketball is a great educational tool for communication, leadership and teamwork. Alongside this, playing sport is a great way to support your physical and mental health, setting these habits early can help set girls up for success in the future.
“Any opportunity I have to support girls in their basketball journey, especially at the early stages, means a lot to me, as it reminds me of my younger self and how I started, compared to where I am now.
“We hope this day gives the girls an insight into the world of basketball and sport and shows them there are multiple ways to be involved.”
At Northants Basketball Club, primary aged girls from schools across Northamptonshire will be invited to give basketball a go – helped by young leaders on the Basketball Academy Programme at Northampton School for Girls (NSG).
Teachers from the schools will be encouraged to join in with the activity too, giving them the confidence to deliver girls basketball at their school. The girls will also be made aware of further playing opportunities with Northants Basketball Club and NSG.
In the afternoon, Year 7 students from NSG will enjoy a session working on their basketball fundamentals, playing games and explore where next should they want to continue playing.
Northants Basketball Club Coach and Administrator Karen Goodrich said:
“I am extremely pleased to be chosen as one of the four HWHR deliverers. As a former national team and national league player and present coach of girls’ teams at school and at club level, I have lots of experiences that I can share with the young girls who will be attending our special day.
“I feel it is really important that girls get to play basketball with other girls and not be dominated by boys. Northants Basketball Club and Northampton School for Girls have shown how clubs and schools can work together to promote girls’ basketball. Reaching out to primary school children as part of this initiative will only enhance this partnership.”
Finally, the Oaklands Wolves will be working with multiple primary and secondary schools.
Oaklands Wolves Basketball Academy Head Coach Michael Ball said:
"We will be create an amazing event for all the girls involved giving them a chance to enjoy a fun basketball festival led by our SLB Wolves players and academy players. Afterwards, they will all be invited to watch Oaklands Wolves play Sheffield Hatters in what could be a title decider!"
Earlier this year, 400 girls took part in the campaign at events hosted by London Lions, Nottingham Wildcats, Sheffield Hatters and the Female Basketball Association in Manchester.
If you would like to find out more about any of the above events, please email [email protected]
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