A Liverpool girls basketball coach believes the women’s game in the area and across the UK is becoming more popular.
Amy Russell, who coached the under 16 girls to second place this season, spoke about the growth and development of the women’s game.
She said: “I think the opportunities and pathways available to girls now is a lot better and there is a lot more along with the knowledge about it”
“Women’s and girls’ basketball in Merseyside is now hitting national league standard, and our girls’ programmes are just growing and growing.”
Liverpool Basketball club have an extensive girl’s programme, with teams ranging from under 14 to under 18.
The youth sides also have over 18 girls in each team, which reflects how popular the game is becoming in the area and across the country, especially at youth level.
According to research released by The Sport England Active Lives Survey in 2021/22, 400,000 girls under the age of 16 played basketball on a weekly basis.
An increase of 2.4% from 2020/21 levels and higher than participation in the four years prior to the pandemic.
The progress within the youth side has been a big positive for the team, but Amy was keen to highlight how her players girls now believe that they have a future in the sport.
Amy added: “It is possible to have a career within basketball for the younger girls, if you work hard and have the talent and the ability then there are a lot more opportunities for you now”.
Their own women’s senior side have also just completed their first season competing in the National Basketball League Division Two.
