Basketball in the Snowy Mountains region is set to reach new heights with the injection of nearly $1 million into the She Hoops program, thanks to the Australian Government’s Play Our Way funding.
PHOTO: Basketball Australia will receive almost $1 million in funding from the Australian Government which will allow She Hoops to scale to a new level. CREDIT: Basketball Australia
The substantial grant of $998,000 promises to enhance accessibility and opportunities for women and girls in basketball across 33 locations, benefiting regional areas including Cooma.
The She Hoops initiative, founded by Lauren Jackson AO OLY, is committed to levelling the playing field for female basketball players by providing quality programs that foster both personal and athletic growth.
The programs will be designed to engage local associations and engage a range of basketball skills, with officials, coaches and leaders programs aiming not only to develop skills on the court but also to develop opportunities for the future.
The impact from She Hoops has already been felt at the Cooma Basketball Association with the announcement that local rising star, Skye Adams, has been selected for a She Hoops Scholarship.
A spokesperson for the Cooma Basketball Association praised Skye, saying, “A big congratulations to Cooma junior Skye Adams who has been selected for the She Hoops Scholarship. Those selected will gain valuable coaching and officiating accreditations, alongside mentoring from some of Australia’s top talents.”
Skye, who began her basketball journey in Cooma and currently plays at a representative level for the Queanbeyan Roadrunners, will be part of an enriching program culminating in a three-day immersive camp at the AIS in June. “We are all proud of your achievement, Skye,” the spokesperson added.
The Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, highlighted the broader impacts of such initiatives, noting, “Sport has great benefits for our health and mental health as individuals and brings communities together.”
She Hoops founder Lauren Jackson reflected the sentiment saying, “We appreciate the investment from the Australian Government which will allow us elevate the work of She Hoops.”
“She Hoops was founded with a purpose of addressing the disadvantages in opportunity and resources available in basketball for girls and women in this country. We are invested in delivering programs that encourage everyone to meet their potential, both as participants of the game and as leaders in their communities.”