Basketball Northern Ireland has listened to women and girls across the basketball community and the message is clear: there is a strong appetite for more opportunities to play, progress and stay involved in the sport.
Our Women & Girls Basketball Survey received 114 responses, giving us valuable insight into the experiences, motivations, barriers and aspirations of women and girls involved in basketball across Northern Ireland.
The findings will help Basketball NI shape future programmes, competitions, development opportunities and support for clubs as we work towards creating a stronger and more inclusive pathway for women and girls.
A welcoming basketball community
One of the most positive findings from the survey was the strong sense of belonging within basketball.
88% of respondents said they feel welcome or very welcome within the basketball community.
It shows that basketball provides a positive environment for many women and girls, but the survey also highlighted opportunities to make sure that welcome translates into long term participation and progression.
Women want more ways to play
The survey showed that women and girls engage with basketball in different ways. Some respondents are looking for competitive opportunities, while others value the social, recreational and wellbeing benefits of the sport.
When asked about competitive basketball:
- 54% said they would consider playing competitively
- A further 31% selected “maybe”
- This means 74% of respondents are either interested or potentially interested in competitive basketball
This represents a significant opportunity to develop more accessible routes into competition, particularly for those who may not currently feel ready to commit to traditional league basketball.
At the same time, respondents highlighted the importance of social basketball and flexible opportunities where the emphasis can be on enjoyment, connection and participation.
More local opportunities are needed
One of the clearest messages from the survey was the demand for greater access to basketball closer to where women and girls live.
60% of respondents selected more local teams as something that would encourage more women and girls to participate.
Other leading responses included:
- 47% – Beginner programmes
- 47% – Social leagues
- Better promotion and visibility
- More female coaches
- Women only sessions
- More flexible competition formats
Together, these findings suggest that there is no single solution to increasing participation.
Instead, women and girls want more entry points, more choice and clearer pathways — whether that means joining a beginner programme, attending a social session, playing in a local team or progressing into competitive basketball.
Why do women play basketball?
The reasons women and girls participate in basketball are equally important. The survey showed that basketball is about much more than competition. Respondents highlighted factors including:
Fun. Fitness. Social connection. Skill development. Mental wellbeing.
This reinforces the value of basketball as a sport that can support both physical activity and social connection, while also providing opportunities for personal development and achievement.
She’s Got Game recognises these different motivations are important in supporting women and girls to remain involved throughout different stages of their lives and we are working to deliver this programme across more areas in the country and further develop the programme.
Understanding why players leave
While the overall findings were positive, the survey also highlighted a significant retention challenge.
42% of respondents said they had stopped playing basketball at some point.
Respondents identified a range of barriers to competitive participation, including:
- Time commitments
- Lack of confidence
- Family commitments
- Fitness concerns
- A preference for social basketball
- Travel distance
- Lack of local teams
These barriers demonstrate why flexibility will be increasingly important.
Women and girls’ lives change whether that be through education, employment, family commitments and other responsibilities, and basketball needs to offer opportunities that can adapt alongside them.
What should Basketball NI prioritise?
When asked what areas should receive the greatest focus, respondents highlighted:
- Social basketball programmes
- Women’s leagues
- School-to-club pathways
- U20 opportunities
- Coach development
- Female leadership opportunities
- Marketing and promotion
- Referee development
These priorities give Basketball NI and our clubs a clear indication of where there is demand and where further development could have the greatest impact.
In particular, strengthening the pathway from school basketball into clubs and adult participation will be important in helping girls continue their basketball journey beyond school.
Developing the people around the game
The survey also highlighted an exciting opportunity beyond playing.
Of the respondents who expressed interest in becoming involved in another basketball role:
50 of 66 said they would be interested in training for another role within basketball.
There was also strong interest in developing female leadership:
42 of 66 said they would be interested in a female leadership programme.
This presents an opportunity to support more women to become coaches, referees, volunteers, leaders and role models within the sport.
Developing a stronger female workforce will not only create more opportunities for women to stay involved in basketball and it will also help young girls see women represented across every part of the game.
What happens next?
The findings from the survey will help inform Basketball NI’s work with clubs and partners as we continue to develop opportunities for women and girls.
The key messages are clear:
More local entry points
Create accessible beginner, social and women-only opportunities.
Clearer routes into competition
Provide flexible and lower pressure ways for women to progress into competitive basketball.
Stronger pathways for girls
Build clearer links between schools and clubs.
More women in the workforce
Support women to develop as coaches, referees, volunteers and leaders.
Better visibility
Promote the opportunities, teams, programmes and people already making a difference across the basketball community.
A shared opportunity for Basketball NI and our clubs
The survey is not simply about identifying challenges – it is about identifying opportunities.
There is clearly a strong appetite for basketball among women and girls. Our role now is to make sure there are enough opportunities, in the right places, at the right level and at the right time for people to engage.
We want to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their experiences.
Your feedback will help us continue working with our clubs and partners to make basketball a sport where women and girls can play, progress and belong.