Thanet Lionesses Basketball team: Empowering Women and Children in Thanet
Founded by Fe (Fionnuala) and Liv (Olivia), two single mothers with young daughters the same age (3years) who have a passion for basketball (playing and coaching) and a thurst for connection amoungst the communitys in which we live.
We are particularly committed to inclusivity, actively promoting our sessions to women over 35 and members of the LGBTQIA+ community—groups that are often socially isolated and underrepresented in basketball. By creating a welcoming environment, that is affordable to all we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, grow, and connect.
Currently, our group has 40 members, ranging from beginners to competitive players ages 21 to 55. But our vision doesn’t stop there—we aim to double this number and expand our reach to include teenage girls (U16) and young children (U12) where we would be looking for another 80+ participents. Our goal is to build a thriving basketball community with beginner, intermediate, and performance-level teams training and competing on a weekly basis, year-round.
In the long term, we want Thanet to be recognized as a hub for women's and girls' basketball—a place where the sport flourishes, and in 10 years, a powerhouse in the basketball world. With your support, we can make this vision a reality and continue to empower women and girls across our community.
Currently, we train and play in local parks, weather permitting, where we face several challenges. The outdoor courts lack essential features like lines and nets, and we often share the space with groups of young men, meaning we frequently have to ask for time to use the court ourselves.
Our dream is to have a place we can truly call home—an indoor court where we can consistently train, play, and grow. With access to a dedicated space, we also plan to expand our outreach by sending our female coaches into local schools to work with teenage girls and younger children. This would not only introduce more girls to basketball but also act as a feeder into our 'home' venue, where we envision hosting weekly sessions.
These sessions would be held at critical times, such as after school and on weekends, when young people from socioeconomically deprived areas are most at risk of negative influences. By providing a safe, structured environment, we can offer a positive outlet, build skills, and support their overall well-being.
