Major investment in women and girls basketball

The Australian Government will invest almost $1 million dollars into a national program led by iconic Olympian Lauren Jackson, increasing the number of women and girls taking part in basketball.

The Albanese Government will invest almost $1 million dollars into a national program led by iconic Olympian Lauren Jackson, increasing the number of women and girls taking part in basketball.

The $998,000 grant was awarded to Basketball Australia from the Government’s $200

million Play Our Way Program, which funds initiatives to make it easier for women and girls to access, participate and remain involved in sport and physical activity. 

Basketball Australia will use the funding to deliver a three-year cycle of She Hoops programs including the Officials, Coaches and Leaders Program.  

The programs will be delivered through local basketball associations in 33 locations with a focus on regional and rural communities, First Nations women and girls and those facing social disadvantage.

Among the locations are Tennant Creek and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury in Western Australia, Whyalla in South Australia, and Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Yass and Cooma in New South Wales.

The programs will include holiday camps to promote participation in basketball and learning about health, wellbeing and culture, as well as 25 leadership camps and 120 scholarships for a Future Leaders Program to encourage women to become leaders, coaches and officials.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“Our government is determined to ensure more women and girls from more diverse areas and backgrounds participate in sport.

“This $998,000 investment means hundreds of girls have the opportunity to have fun and develop skills in a program run by national treasure Lauren Jackson.

“The She Hoops Officials Coaches and Leaders Program will give hundreds of women and girls a fabulous opportunity to get into basketball, improve their skills or take the next step by becoming a coach or official.

“It’s just one of the great initiatives funded by our Play Our Way program making it safer and easier for women and girls from all backgrounds to get involved and get active through sport.”

Basketball Australia, Head of Women & She Hoops founder, Lauren Jackson AO OLY:

"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.

This support of the Government and Play Our Way funding will allow us to scale our work and sustain a meaningful impact.”