A city-wide project came to an exciting conclusion today as 50 young women competed in the closing tournament of COLBC & The Together Fund's All-Girls Basketball project.
The culmination of our All-Girls initiative, funded by the Together Fund and endorsed by the Yorkshire Sport Foundation, would see 50 young women benefiting from a competitive outlet, coupled with the opportunity to speak to some fantastic role-models including our very own Katie Lamond and Alex Campbell.
The girls from Ruth Gorse Academy, Allerton Grange High School, Dixon's Trinity Academy Chapeltown and Allerton High School, enjoyed a series of games which afforded them the opportunity to showcase the skills they have acquired through 12-18 weeks of delivery in the first two terms of the academic year.
COLBC Womens & Girls Development Officer Katie Lamond was ecstatic at the opportunity to host such an exciting event for girls in our city:
"I am delighted to have had a role in the link up between Sport England,Yorkshire Sport and City of Leeds Basketball club in bringing to life the Together Fund and COLBC All Girls Spring Basketball Tournament. The event facilitating the opportunity for girls from all walks of life, the availability to demonstrate and progress their skills and abilities within basketball specific competitions. Furthermore, it was truly amazing to see over 40 young women not only enjoying and participating in engaging sporting activities, but exposed to the potential avenues , experiences and advantages they can have by keeping themselves in sporting pathways."
COLBC Director Matt Newby shared in Coach Lamond's excitement:
"Fundamentally, this initiative was an opportunity to engage with high schools directly and hard-target the promotion and development of the girls' game. This has been in my mind, a great success, with no less than 150 young girls participating in basketball on a weekly basis. This after-school activity has fostered an interest in the game and afforded the girls involved the chance to step into the sport. Today's event will hopefully encourage these fledgling players to take further steps into our club pathway. It was great to see our former players, who are fantastic female role-models, directing the event and providing advice on sports and life."
We hope to replicate this project in other quarters of the city, and should you have an interest in developing girls basketball in your primary or secondary school, please email foundation@cityofleedsbasketballclub.co.uk.