More than 10,000 primary school girls in Victoria have taken part in free basketball clinics thanks to the Albanese Government's $200 million Play Our Way program.
Basketball Victoria received $750,000 to deliver the clinics across the state, which are expected to reach 500 Victorian primary schools and 20,000 young girls by mid next year.
Basketball Victoria is also delivering coaching and leadership programs, supporting the growth of women's wheelchair basketball, and has provided $38,000 in grants to boost girls' participation in basketball across the state.
Minister for Sport Anika Wells today visited Collingwood College in Melbourne to see firsthand how Play our Way is helping more girls build confidence, skills and long-term connections through basketball.
The Collingwood Basketball Association also received $486,000 funding through Play Our Way for the Girls and Women's Pathway Program, which is expanding access to the sport, developing and nurturing emerging talent, and creating safer, more inclusive sporting environments for women, girls and gender diverse participants.
The program combines weekly training and games sessions with opportunities for participants to learn both about the technical aspects of the game and the benefits of sport and physical activity.
The Play Our Way Program is supporting women and girls' participation in sport from the grassroots through to the elite level in line with the Government's National Sport Strategy, Sport Horizon.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
"From the playground to the podium, the Albanese Government is committed to ensuring women and girls have every possible opportunity to enjoy sport.
"Our $200 million Play Our Way program is the most significant commitment ever to women and girls sporting programs and facilities and it's making a real difference.
"From boosting confidence in young girls picking up a basketball for the first time to nurturing women who aspire to become coaches, referees or elite athletes - Play our Way is driving meaningful change in Australian sport."
Quotes attributable to Ms Sarah Witty MP, Member for Melbourne:
"Every person has the right to enjoy sport, in their own way and at the level that suits them.
"The Play Our Way program is about breaking down barriers and expanding pathways for women and girls to participate in sport and ensuring they are supported at every stage of their journey - and it's fantastic to see this in action here at Collingwood College."
Quotes attributable to Basketball Victoria General Manager - Members, Participation and Growth, David Huxtable:
"Basketball Victoria has ambitious targets under the 2025 to 2028 BV Strategic Plan to increase participation by women and girls in basketball.
"We can already see results when we target girls' participation - in our Aussie Hoops Programs, where we have purposely focused the Play Our Way funding, we achieve 50 per cent ongoing participation rates of all attendees of the program.
"The programs that flow from this funding are extremely important to grow women and girls' participation."
Quotes attributable to Collingwood Basketball Association General Manager Shaun McEachin:
"Thanks to Play Our Way funding from the Australian Government, the Collingwood Basketball Association is working to increase participation of girls, women, and gender diverse people in basketball through our Girls' and Women's Pathway.
"Already, we've engaged more than 300 participants, delivering the program across five venues and partnering with local schools and community organisation to strengthen our impact.
"The program removes barriers to participation such as registration costs, uniforms, and coaching fees, while building confidence and fundamental skills for girls and women to develop a love for basketball."
