The University of East London (UEL) is making waves in the world of women's sports leadership by hosting a series of events with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). This initiative, part of the global 'Her Time to Play' program, aims to empower women and provide them with opportunities to excel in sports and leadership roles. But here's where it gets controversial... While the NBA's London Game returns for the first time since 2019, some argue that the focus should be on promoting women's sports and leadership within the UK, rather than just hosting international events. Despite this, the UEL's efforts are making a real difference, with young women taking part in basketball clinics and a leadership panel featuring former WNBA player Briann January and WNBA director of innovation and growth Lauren Dwyer. The event also highlighted the challenges faced by girls in participating in sports, with more than one million girls disengaging from sports during their teenage years. Barriers such as fear of judgment, low confidence, and menstruation continue to limit participation, with more than a third of girls avoiding sports during their periods. However, the UEL's targeted initiatives and global programs like 'Her Time to Play' are working to address these challenges and improve access and confidence for women and girls in sports. So, while some may argue that the focus should be on promoting women's sports within the UK, the UEL's efforts are making a real difference in empowering women and providing them with opportunities to excel in sports and leadership roles.
