The first snowfall of the season ushered in the first event of the Playworks Metro Boston girls basketball season. Our kick-off extravaganza brought 100 4th and 5th grade girls from 32 partner schools together to learn and practice basic basketball skills while drumming up excitement for the upcoming season. In the spirit of inclusion, players were randomly placed into groups as they arrived, giving each girl an opportunity to play, learn and laugh with students from other schools. Our 15 AmeriCorps program coordinators led the skills stations. These coaches got everyone’s heart pumping by passing, shooting and dribbling while cheering and high-fiving.
We took advantage of a healthy snack break to ask one group of girls some questions:
What are you doing here today?
Playing basketball – Julia from the Manning
Working on teamwork – Ariana from McKay
Getting some exercise – Isis from Winship
What are you most looking forward to this girls basketball season?
Playing hard – Roslee from Hurley
Trying my best – Jada from the Gardner Pilot Academy
Learning skills – Carol from the Dever-McCormack
Jessica from the Gardner, Lily from the Bates, and Evelyn from Hyde Park recited the three Playworks league rules: Respect the Game, Play Hard and Have Fun.
There are lots of ways for you to join in the fun. This year, our leagues are sponsored by the Massachusetts American Heart Association. Come to games to get your heart pumping and share ways you stay active and healthy with our students. If you’d like to learn more about our girls basketball league, volunteer to referee, or attend a game and cheer on the teams, please call the Playworks office or email Program Director Casey Kuzio at ckuzio@playworks.org.
