Lilly sponsors girls basketball programs
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Girls basketball programs offered through the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis are now available for free thanks to a new partnership between the Y, Eli Lilly and the Indiana Fever.
Why it matters: Research shows that girls stop playing sports at twice the rate of boys and kids from low-income families are far more likely to miss out on organized sports than their higher-income peers.
Driving the news: The Court Is Hers, announced on Saturday, aims to shift this trajectory by promoting greater access to sports for girls and increasing opportunities to build healthy habits through participation in local basketball programs, according to a news release.
What they're saying: "Sports can be a powerful force in a girl's life — not just for the joy of the game, but for the physical health, mental well-being and lifelong confidence it can help build," Jennifer Oleksiw, global chief customer officer at Lilly, said in a press release.
How it works: Lilly is covering all registration fees and the cost of uniforms for participants.
- The Y will deliver all the on-the-ground programming, including basketball leagues and clinics.
- "At the Y, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow, thrive and discover their potential through the power of play," said Jocelyn Boyd, regional vice president at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
"The hope is that this pilot lays the groundwork for future growth and creates more opportunities for girls in Indianapolis," Jessica Thompson, a spokesperson for Lilly, told us. This fall, the program will serve more than 500 girls.
- Lilly is also looking for other local basketball leagues that want to partner with them, to expand access even further.
Zoom out: The Fever's involvement comes as the city works to raise its profile as the women's sports capital.
- "We're proud to team up with Lilly and the Y to help more girls in Indianapolis get in the game," Amber Cox, chief operating officer and general manager of the Indiana Fever, said in the release. "As a team rooted in this community, we know the power of sport to help girls grow in resilience and leadership. The Court Is Hers is about making sure girls know there's a place for them on the court and beyond."