Boss Ballers is an exciting new programme designed to introduce female students to coaching pathways in basketball, providing them with support, tools and the confidence to pursue these pathways and increase the number of female coaches in Aotearoa.
BBNZ Women and Girls Community Lead for South Auckland says the goal is to develop positive female role models to deliver our Girls Got Game programme.
“Boss Ballers gives us the opportunity to work with female secondary students that are passionate about giving young girls a positive experience playing ball. We work through the facilitation of the Girls Got Game programme and how to create a safe and inviting environment.
“Girls Got Game is a really strong brand that girls want to belong to, however one of the biggest challenges is finding the right coaches to deliver the programme and build relationships with young girls. Through Boss Ballers, we can identify up and coming coaches for the Girls Got Game programmes run by local clubs and associations,” said Buckley.
In partnership with Counties Manukau Basketball and Franklin Basketball, there are three schools that are taking part in the Boss Ballers pilot this year – Manurewa High School, Pukekohe High School and Saint Kentigern College – with approximately 60 students involved across the schools.
“Ultimately Boss Ballers closes the loop, allowing us to create a female basketball ecosystem developed, participated in, and lead by locals for locals,” said Buckley.
Students begin with on-court coaching workshops that introduce them to the basics of coaching; before completing an off-court “Finding Her Game” module that focuses on the specifics of creating positive experiences for young girls. They then have the opportunity to put their learning into practice by delivering a Girls Got Game programme at local primary and intermediate schools – supported by coaching mentors throughout.
Astrid Henricks, Year 11 student at Manurewa High School says Boss Ballers has created an opportunity for her team to bond, to build confidence in herself, and to become a role model.
“This programme meant a lot to us girls. We have developed new ways to coach different kids from ages 5-12, learn some new and improved ways of taking charge, and developing skill to be more confident and become a better role model for the younger girls,” said Henricks.
“I have learnt that anyone can become a coach, it just takes patience and commitment to become a good coach as you have to be open and understanding to everyone’s perspective and ideas.”
Head of PE at Pukekohe High School Sarah Hainsworth says the programme has been a welcomed addition.
“The Boss Ballers programme has been great inclusion into our school for our junior girls and has allowed these students to develop their leadership skills and contribute back to our wider community through their coaching in primary schools,” said Hainsworth.
Boss Ballers has helped deliver Girls Got Game to six primary and intermediate schools in South Auckland this year, totalling over 200 students.
Boss Ballers is currently taking expressions of interest from secondary schools for 2023.Please contact Meaghan Wilby, BBNZ Participation and Wellbeing Lead at meaghan@nz.basketball.
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Girls Got Game is a fun and friendly basketball programme for primary and intermediate school age girls that aims to introduce more young girls to basketball and encourage them to continue being active and enjoy basketball with their friends. You can find more information here: https://nz.basketball/girlsgotgame/
