WNBA stars at UEL: Empowering women in sports leadership
The University of East London (UEL) has become a hub for women's basketball, hosting a series of events featuring top WNBA players as part of a global initiative to empower women in sports and leadership. The program, called Her Time to Play, coincides with the NBA's London Game, which returns to the city for the first time since 2019, with a regular-season match between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic at The O2 on January 18.
The event brought together young women for basketball clinics and a leadership panel, featuring former WNBA player Briann January and WNBA director of innovation and growth Lauren Dwyer. The panel discussed the challenges faced by women in sports, including the lack of enjoyment in PE, with only 56% of girls aged 14-15 enjoying the subject, compared to 86% in early childhood. Barriers such as fear of judgment, low confidence, and menstruation continue to limit participation, with over a third of girls avoiding sports during their periods.
UEL's executive director of sport strategy and growth, Hilary Lissenden, emphasized the importance of the event, saying, 'We've been proud to welcome participants to our Olympic-standard facilities and create meaningful opportunities for community engagement, student experience, and talent development.'
The NBA's Erik Brucker praised UEL's commitment to growing the game, stating, 'UEL is a fantastic hub for basketball in the UK, especially in London. The facilities are outstanding, and the university's investment in the sport is clear to see.'
The program aims to address these challenges and improve access and confidence for women and girls in sports, with UEL running its own targeted initiatives to support this mission.
