'SHE GOT GAME' in partnership with FIBA Foundation Basketball for Good, continues empowering women in our sport!

She Got Game continues to grow and empower ladies in Basketball NI!

Basketball NI’s She Got Game programme is expanding rapidly, giving more women than ever the chance to discover and reconnect withbasketball in a fun, supportive environment. What began as a small initiative has grown into a dynamic movement reaching across our basketball community within Basketball NI.

She Got Game delivers basketball coaching directly into local clubs, helping women build confidence, make new friends, and develop key skills both on and off the court. It is social and it is fun. With this years support from Sport NI ‘SSIGB’ fund Basketball NI and support from the FIBA Foundation ‘Basketball for Good’ programme we have been able to grow the project across four more areas within the region.

Supporting the Basketball Ireland ‘Socia-Ball’ programme we have been able to sign post our groups to play in national tournaments and we have also hosted numerous blitz’s in a bid to bring the women together and enjoy the game.

Recently BNI visited Tyrone Towers ‘She Got Game’ programme to deliver their FIBA Foundation Basketball for Good balls witnessing over 32 women enjoy coaching from Towers stalwart coach Caroline McErlean.

“We’re delighted to bring the She Got Game Programme to the Tyrone Towers Club. It’s great to see so many women getting involved – past players, parents of players, and ladies who are new to basketball.

They’re easy to coach, hanging on your every word and are not afraid to try anything. They’re enjoying the craic, are very positive and open minded to the whole ethos of the programme.

Huge thanks to our funders Basketball NI, the FIBA Foundation and Sport NI for all their support, and a shoutout to the Drumglass High School for letting us use their sports facilities!”

Tyrone Towers ‘She Got Game’ Coach Caroline McErlean

Often getting access to facilities can be an issue for our sport. Basketball NI has worked with Sport NI to provide some kick starter funding for facility hire and coaching support along with working with the NI Sport Forum (APG) to help get access into local schools to help facilitate the sessions.

This is our third year of the project and our goal has always been to make ‘She Got Game’ easier for women to try basketball for the first time or reengage with the sport they haven’t played in years. Facilities, equipment and coaching has always been a hurdle for clubs and with the funding support from Sport NI and equipment provide from the team at the FIBA Foundation, we have been able to support clubs in setting up the programme.

Our research found that the committment of competition had taken women away from the sport so by embracing the concept of ‘social basketball’ we have found away help support the idea of a drop in activity.

As each group can evolve and grow how they decide whether they attend Basketball Ireland’s Socia-Ball events and festivals, locally hosted BNI She Got Game blitz’s.

The success continues speaks for itself when you see the energy and fun these women are having along with the great numbers in attendance you can see this is something that women and girls have been in need of. I personally came away from the Towers session feeling proud watching the great work of Caroline and supporting coaches engaging with particiapnts and really having fun. The club are making a great impact in their community, creating an environment that embodies all aspects of the programme and that can only continue to lead to great things for the local women in the area and community as a whole

BNI Vice Chair – Marc Mulholland

Basketball NI’s – ‘She Got Game’ Empowering Women through Basketball for Good in partnership with FIBA Foundation , Sport NI and Basketball Ireland Socia Ball can be found in the following locations:

Ma Bulls – Belfast Bulls Basketball Club (Belfast)

Magherafelt Titans Basketball Club (Magherafelt)

North Star Warriors Basketball Club (Derry/Londonderry)

Queens Basketball Club (Belfast)

Phoenix Basketball Club (Lisburn/Belfast)

Tyrone Towers (Dungannon)

Lurgan Lakers (Lurgan)

BC Wolves Basketball Club (Coming Soon to Dungannon)