Basketball Australia together with the Australian Sports Commission have launched a new TVC aimed at empowering women to change the game on and off the court. The TVC aired last night on ESPN during the WNBL broadcast highlighting how basketball is helping to create the female leaders of the future.
The number of girls playing basketball is on the rise thanks to the incredible support of the Australian Government. Minister for Sport Hon. Anika Wells MP is steadfast in her commitment to equalling the playing field for girls and women providing them with every opportunity to stay in all facets of the game and rise through the ranks from local level to the elite.
More female basketballers than ever before are representing on the international stage, in 2023, the basketball stars of the future, the Sapphires under-16 team, won a gold medal at the FIBA Asian Championship in Amman, Jordan, while the Opals claimed bronze at the FIBA Asia Cup on home soil in Sydney, capping a stellar 12 months following the 2022 World Cup.
20-year-old Queenslander Shaneice Swain was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with Pick 14 in the WNBA draft, seven Australians played in the WNBA season with Cayla George part of the Las Vegas Aces team which lifd the championship.
She Hoops, Basketball Australia’s women and girls program, ran free coaching sessions and camps online and on courts around Australia and hosted free networking events in both Sydney and Melbourne. In 2024 we will name our She Hoops ambassadors who will be inspiring and mentoring girls all over the country.
In November, She Hoops launched its Leadership and Confidence Scholarship which in 2024 will see 62 recipients from across the country learn skills beyond the court, complete qualifications and be mentored by leading players.
Basketball Australia’s Head of Women Lauren Jackson AO OLY says that sport and government continue to work in partnership to elevate our female strategy.
“As women’s sport becomes more and more relevant and visible it’s hugely important that basketball lifts its game because we have a huge part to play.
“She Hoops, from a participation standpoint, is keeping people in the game, participating and engaged across all levels of basketball. In terms of the visibility and awareness of our elite players, the continued success of our athletes at a national and international level is critical.
“It’s really important to continue closing the gap and making it better for women and girls to be part of our sport.”
