Basketball NSW is pleased to acknowledge the growing success of the I AM A GIRL program delivered in partnership with Savannah Pride, currently underway in Mount Druitt. Over the past several weeks, more than 20 young female participants have engaged in the eight-week program, with consistent growth and positive community engagement highlighting the initiative’s impact.
This program, which forms part of Basketball NSW’s I AM A GIRL strategy to increase participation and retention of girls in basketball, aims to provide a culturally safe, welcoming, and empowering environment for young women to learn the game and build life skills through sport. The eight week program began with two “I AM A GIRL Come ‘N” Try’s earlier in the year that exposed new players to basketball and now allows them to continue their basketball journey and build upon the fundamentals of the game.
Led by local representative player Angela Tako and Savannah Pride’s Coach Ethanael Tepa, the program has established a strong and inclusive foundation. Through their leadership, the participants are not only developing their on-court skills but are also building confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging.
Basketball NSW, CEO, Maria Nordstrom said she is excited to see the program grow in Western Sydney.
“Basketball NSW is proud to see the I AM A GIRL program being established and growing in Mount Druitt through our partnership with Savannah Pride and City of Blacktown BA,” said Nordstrom.
“The engagement with Savannah Pride, City of Blacktown BA and the parents and families in the local community, exemplifies that when engaging with the community to better understand how to best engage girls to participate in sport, we can achieve good outcomes where young women can feel supported both on and off the court. It also highlights the importance of local leadership and trust for programs such as this to continue to be established and thrive”
Basketball NSW alongside a committed team of local organisers and volunteers, has played a key role in supporting the program’s delivery. Their collaborative efforts have ensured the program’s structure continues to evolve and meet the needs of the community.
Savannah Pride, Mayor Chagai also boasted the program and how the community enjoys the sessions each week.
“The strength of this program lies in its consistency and cultural connection,” said Chagai.
“Each week, we are seeing increased engagement, stronger skill development, and a genuine sense of community among participants. The greatest success is the involvement of parents, they are more engaged in the program supporting their daughters, watching them at training and in the local competition games.”
Held at a PCYC Mount Druitt, the program has quickly become a beacon for female participation in the region. Many of the girls involved are new to the sport, and the program is designed to foster their development in a fun, supportive, and structured environment. The weekly sessions focus on fundamental basketball skills, teamwork, and leadership, with an emphasis on long-term player development. During the eight weeks, there also was a number of educational sessions off the court led by Liz Mills, Simone Tsang from Momentum Physio, Rachel Herrick, Nicole Foran, Jarrod Moore & Adam Marjoram which included cross-cultural story telling, health and fitness and presentations that shared information about the Basketball NSW pathways.
Basketball NSW commends the ongoing efforts of Savannah Pride and all stakeholders involved in delivering this program. As participation continues to grow, the Mount Druitt-based initiative stands as a strong example of what can be achieved when community passion meets strategic development.
For more information on the I AM A GIRL initiative or to learn how to get involved, CLICK HERE.
For more information about Savannah Pride, CLICK HERE.
