By Jessica Sherman
As the excitement of the WNBA All-Star Weekend took over Indianapolis, the Ripken foundation was proud to host a two-day basketball clinic in partnership with Group 1001 and the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), just days before the All-Star game took center stage.
Bringing together 150 middle school-aged girls from across the country, the I’m GREAT (Girls Respecting Each Other And Themselves) program delivered a powerful experience, rooted in female empowerment. Through basketball drills designed to build confidence and improve team-building skills, the clinic helped to reinforce the potential young girls have to succeed on and off the court.
One of the clinic’s most impactful moments came with a hands-on experience for Paralympic athletes to thrive in adaptive sports. This wheelchair clinic, led by U.S. Paralympians Lindsay Zurbrugg and Emily Ann Oberst, introduced adaptive techniques that gave these young athletes an unforgettable experience. Research from WSF highlights that 90% of females with disabilities lack athletic opportunities. By honoring Disability Pride Month, these young athletes are one step closer to building a healthy, positive future.
Danette Leighton, CEO of WSF, puts it best:
“Far too often girls and women athletes with disabilities are under-resourced and overlooked at all levels, from school age to elite.”
This clinic serves as a powerful reminder that when every girl, regardless of her ability, is given the opportunity to take initiative, build resilience, and recognize her potential, she is empowered to blossom into a capable and successful woman.
Read more about this partnership here. To learn more about our I’m GREAT initiative, click here.