Today is International Women’s Day, and to mark the moment, Women’s British Basketball League General Manager, Emily Clarke, has penned a piece highlighting the importance of the day, as well as momentous milestones to celebrate and what more can be done to lift the Women’s game further:
As we embrace the global event that is International Women’s Day today, we celebrate the achievements of women across the world and remember the ongoing fight for gender equality. Highlighting our amazing sport and the inspiration it brings to young women and girls around our country and beyond is a pleasure.
It is a poignant time to remind ourselves of the roles that we fulfil and the progress we make as we strive to increase the recognition of our game with fans, media, and the wider basketball community.
International Women’s Day highlights what remains to be done to grow our community and our sport within it, acknowledging the inspirational players and coaches that we have at our clubs, the positive role models that they are for young fans and players in the age group sections of the very club where some of them began their own basketball careers.
We continue to forge ahead and strive for equality with the Men’s game here in the UK. Progress doesn’t happen by accident, and we need to make our journey together.
Personally, I am excited to be the first General Manager of the Women’s League and I’m delighted that my skills have enabled the appointment of a female into the role too!
I have been involved in the sport for 30 years, beginning as a player when it was suggested that I should give it a go in Year 6. I was 5’5”. In hindsight, it was forward-thinking for our male Head of PE to recommend girls to basketball and not just netball.
In addition to living my most recent highlight right now, some of my best times in basketball have been 10 years volunteering as a team manager of the National Team. “Why are you working with the boys’ teams?” they said. “Why shouldn’t I? I replied. I am proud of my female influence on an all-male team and staff.
I still believe that I had a lot to offer to those players, they keep in touch still. My contribution to the successes we had were all part of inclusive teamwork that brought us a handful of medals and promotion to Division A of the European Championships.
As we approach the culmination of our ninth season of the Women’s League, it is important to highlight the fantastic accomplishments of our teams, and I must give recognition to our milestone-reaching clubs.
Already in our 2023/2024 season, the Essex Rebels have reached their first-ever national Final. The youngest team in the League proudly brought their fans along to the first showcase event in January – The Betty Codona Trophy at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham – where they played under the lights.
The Caledonia Gladiators took their first foray into European Competition progressing through their group stage. They became the first Women’s team to play a regular season game on terrestrial TV, and they are to be congratulated on bringing our awesome game to the BBC.
The London Lions took to FIBA EuroCup Women competition earlier this week with an away victory in the first leg of their Semi-Final, making them the most successful British basketball team in Europe ever. They are looking to add international silverware to their domestic Trophy success too, with an unbeaten record this season.
It’s not just on the basketball court that we need to celebrate the success of our female players; recently, some have transitioned into coaching and commentating.
As we continue to celebrate, the launch of the Hall of Fame will take place on March 17 with the first players and coaches being inducted as part of the All-Star Games. This day promises the excitement of our League’s favourite players coming together to represent the North and South teams across the country in a double-header with the Men’s game.
I encourage you to come along whether you are a follower of basketball in the UK or just curious about what it has to offer – I assure you, it’s a lot of fun!
There is so much joy to be had from the sport of basketball and I can often be heard reminiscing about something that happened over the years, telling a funny story, remembering with fondness a gesture of a colleague, player, or parent, and especially being excited about what is to come.
We have seen the fantastic progression of The FA’s WSL and I hope that, as we enter the 10th season of the Women’s British Basketball League, our sport isn’t too far behind. I invite you, male or female, to join our revolution in supporting the Women’s League clubs as we continue our journey together.
Follow us on social media, keep track of our news, and where you can drop into a game. We promise you fun and excitement on your basketball journey. Next up, the All-Star Games and Hall of Fame induction.
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
[AJ1]Dependent on tonight’s result, this may need to change