Marist Basketball Club president Greg Pearson, with players Gretta Kelly, Maggie Saunders, Mabel Alletsee and Grace Sibio.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
When Lauren Jackson, Australia’s greatest basketballer, steps onto the courts of Shepparton Sports Stadium next month she will be greeted by a nostalgic sight.
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A group of sprightly young girls, wide-eyed and in wait.
No, they are not her latest opponents – they’ve registered for the She Hoops Holiday Camp hosted by Marist Basketball Club.
On Monday, April 7, Jackson and WNBL Melbourne Boomers star Tess Madgen will put the Marist girls and other young athletes from the region through their paces.
She Hoops, developed by Basketball Australia in collaboration with the Federal Government, aims to encourage young girls aged 7 to 16 to participate in sport.
The program connects them with the best mentoring, forums and resources worldwide, as well as the opportunity to meet role models who have lifted women’s basketball to unprecedented heights.
Marist Basketball Club development officer Tyson Saunders said Shepparton itself had seen a surge in girls picking up the orange sphere, with the latest numbers at Greater Shepparton Basketball Association approaching one female for every four males.
“For me, I want to encourage the girls to stay involved in basketball and sport in general,” Saunders said.
“On the back of promoting sport for all genders, this is an opportunity to give the kids that sense of inclusiveness and safety of being around all females – it’s really important.”
Due to the stadium’s capacity, only 12 girls can participate per ring, which means the event expects to host about 200 athletes, along with a few coaches who will receive mentorship from Jackson and Madgen.
Despite these limitations, Saunders is determined to make the experience accessible for as many players as possible.
“Our community is really serious about sport, but our facilities stunt us,” he said.
“Initially, it was just going to be for our (Marist) girls, but Jackson coming here is just too good of an opportunity not to try to expand it out to the region.
“This will be a big moment for our young players to meet their idols and continue to learn and enjoy what they do.”
She Hoops Holiday Camp is on Monday, April 7, from 9am to 11am for ages 7 to 10, and from 12.30pm to 3pm for ages 11 to 16, at Shepparton Sports Stadium, 120 Numurkah Rd, Shepparton.
Marist Basketball Club’s Maggie Saunders, Thea Kelly, Gretta Kelly, Audre Saunders and Mabel Alletsee are set to meet their idols.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
