From her relentless goals of making basketball in the capital more accessible for women to growing the All Stars Basketball Club, which she founded in 2020.
However, this wouldn't have been possible without her friend Lisa Williams, who has played a pivotal role in championing the campaign to improve access while removing barriers for women and girls to play basketball.
Along with Eytle, Williams helped build the All Stars into what they are today.
Together, Ruth and Lisa had a mission to create pathways for female players, coaches, and volunteers. Their aim was to create change and leave a legacy for many years to come.
Winning and titles weren't on their mind. To them, it was bigger than that.
"You would never believe that winning wasn't our driving force," Eytle said.
"To begin with, the aim was to create a safe space for females to play and be coached by women, especially women who are underrepresented in the game we love, older women, girls, and Muslim women."
Eytle was constantly frustrated by the lack of opportunities for women to play. Her son is RJ, a forward for the Cheshire Phoenix, and her daughter Summer, who formally played for City of London Academy before moving to the All Stars in the London Met League and currently plays for the WNBL2 side.
"There has always been more access and availability for men than women, so RJ never had a problem," Eytle said. "With 32 London Boroughs, RJ could go all over London, while Summer didn't have the same opportunities.
"Basketball is a sport that women play just as much as men, and I wanted to break the mould. Lisa Williams was the right person to tackle the challenge with me, an advocate for women in sport, she was my ideal partner."
That's when London All Stars was born. In that five-year period, they have both built the club into more than just a basketball club, succeeding on the court both locally and in the WNBL.
The London All Stars is open to all females, regardless of their ability, to come in and give the sport a try. It champions community engagement and player development.
"I just wanted a space where women can come and play, and we located London All Stars as close to the centre of London as we could, so that women from all areas could travel easily and join," Eytle said.
Ever the creative thinker, Eytle wasn't done there. She founded Activities 4 U - a junior programme based in South London, with assistance from players across the WNBL, from Brent Bulls to London Cavaliers.
"This season, we built a partnership with London Legends and created a pathway for girls to compete, develop, and learn to play the game," she explained.
"With interest came the opportunity to enter a U14 team in the NBL and winning the London Conference.
"Our aim is to ensure that girls have role models to look up to. A special thank you to the female coaches who made it possible: Ruby Clarke, Rocky Davis, Sophie Lwazi, and Kat Goldsby, who have helped shape the girls' programme."
In the same year, Eytle started the All Stars; she went even further by starting an event called Female Focus, a basketball tournament led by women for women. Williams joined her friend to support the campaign, using her experience to shape the yearly event engaging over 150 women yearly from across the UK.
"Female Focus is one of its kind," Eytle beamed.
"We encourage women to showcase their skills on and off the court, from female business owners, female referees, female players, coaches, and volunteers.
"Since we started the club, we have engaged over 250 women and girls at all levels; we would like to thank past, present and future All Star players.
"And a special thank you to the basketball community who has helped raise £4,000 to support the continuation of the programme."
With the busy workload, Eytle and Williams continue to grow basketball in the capital, making the London All Stars a force to be reckoned with.
A strong 19-3 finish in their inaugural season was a positive start, with only Cobham Cobras pipping them to top spot by one game. Motivation indeed ahead of the following campaign.
"It was a great first year with a lot of learning from a coach's perspective, with a fantastic and dedicated group of players, helping the club to achieve its goals," said Eytle.
"It was a season with highs whilst learning throughout the season, but overall, it was a great success, leaving us wanting more for the next season.”
The All Stars followed this with a splendid second season, tasting defeat just once on their way to a 16-1 league record as Eytle earned end of season honours as Pool II's Coach of the Year. They dismissed Cardiff Met Archers II and Bromsgrove Bears in the playoffs quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.
Their reward? A spot in the showpiece Basketball England Playoff Finals weekend, where they will face Milton Keynes Breakers, themselves in their first season as a women's club.
"It's been a competitive but fun season; we have worked hard and will continue to do so," said Eytle.
"What you have to understand is that we've only been going since 2020, two years in the London Met League and two years in the WNBL. Our plan was always to play and be competitive in the WNBL, but the journey continues.
"I'm really looking forward to matching up with Milton Keynes in the final; it's going to be a great game."
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Words by John Hobbs
Body photo credits - Flo Alalade
