The London Basketball Association (LBA) is one of the few charities serving communities through not only sports, but also employability programmes across London.
As part of its mission to empower socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, the London Basketball Association is raising funds to deliver two free weekly basketball sessions (totalling five hours per week) at the renowned Regal and Jordan Court in Lambeth.
These sessions will benefit a total of 120 marginalised young people aged 16-24 in Lambeth, offering a safe, inclusive environment where they can play, develop skills, and build confidence.
One of the two sessions will be female-only, which will engage 50 young women. We recognise the barriers that females face — especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds — when it comes to participating in basketball and sports.
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to disproportionately impact ethnic minority and low-income households, providing free basketball activities for the communities that need them most is more vital than ever.
Only 36% of black girls in England are meeting recommended activity levels, compared to 48% of white girls, and in the past five years the number of black girls saying they enjoyed taking part in sport and physical activity has plummeted from 50% to 39% (Sport England, 2023).
The weekly sessions that we will deliver will not only help participants stay physically active but also provide a safe space where they can connect with diverse peers, develop key soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, and receive guidance from experienced LBA coaches who serve as positive role models.
ZERO TO HERO — PROFESSIONAL REFEREEING WORKSHOP
As part of the programme, we will run workshops with the support of a professional basketball referee across the weekly sessions. This will enable us to qualify 15 disadvantaged females as referees, opening up opportunities for paid work with LBA and the wider community — with a minimum pay of £20 per hour.
The referee will act as a positive mentor, helping participants go beyond playing and become qualified referees themselves. Through this mentorship, young people will easily be able to access refereeing training and gain paid jobs.
Below is a case study of a young woman that we have supported in the past through our female basketball programme:
Aisha (name changed for privacy), 19, had a difficult childhood due to domestic violence, poverty, and parenting issues. She struggled with bad health, depression and behavioural difficulties.
She was reluctant to take part in team sports as she was shy to engage with other people, especially given that the vast majority of basketball sessions available are heavily male dominated.
Aisha decided to attend one of LBA’s female-only sessions and became more healthy, confident and engaged. Our female coaches — who come from a similar background and have the lived experiences of Aisha — encouraged her to attend regularly and supported her journey to becoming a qualified basketball referee
Aisha now plays basketball regularly (at least four times per week), and has developed a sporting habit for life. She also referees basketball matches across London which helps her earn money from the sport that she loves.
Today, Aisha is a confident young woman who plays basketball regularly, earns money as a referee, and is determined to inspire the next generation — not just to play, but to become referees and coaches themselves.