Basketball Northern Ireland is proud to see the launch of its new Girls Got Game pilot programme funded by Sport NI and the National Lottery Fund, with early sessions recently hosted by St Gerard’s School and Malone College. The initiative brings together second year girls to help inspire, empower, and support greater participation for women and girls in sport.
The programme forms part of the wider “Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong” campaign supported by Sport NI, which aims to create more inclusive environments where young women feel confident to take part, lead, and have their voices heard within sport.
At both schools, second-year pupils engaged in interactive sessions designed to explore the importance of visibility, confidence, and belonging in sport. Through basketball-based activities and teamwork challenges, the girls were encouraged to reflect on the barriers that can sometimes exist for female participation in sport and to think about how they can support one another both on and off the court.
The Girls Got Game pilot programme is designed to give young women the opportunity to develop basketball skills while also building confidence through sport. By empowering students to become advocates for participation, the programme aims to create positive role models within schools who can inspire others to get involved.
The sessions at St Gerard’s School and Malone College mark the beginning of the project’s first year, with 12 schools across Northern Ireland taking part in the initiative. Over the coming months, participating schools will continue to deliver activities that promote teamwork and positive sporting experiences for girls.
Through programmes like Girls Got Game, Basketball Northern Ireland continues to strengthen its commitment to growing the women’s game and ensuring that girls across the country feel visible and confident in sport.
