A basketball camp for 150 middle-school girls highlighted inclusion and leadership on July 16, pairing Paralympic athletes with aspiring young players days before the WNBA All-Star Game.
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Group 1001 and the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) hosted the two-day clinic centered on breaking barriers through sport.
The “I’m GREAT” program (Girls Respecting Each Other And Themselves) taught life skills to girls aged 11 to 14 through mentorship and basketball drills. Women coaches guided participants in activities designed to build confidence and decision-making.
Honoring Disability Pride Month, U.S. Paralympians Lindsay Zurbrugg and Emily Ann Oberst led a wheelchair basketball clinic. The session, co-organized by Indiana nonprofit Turnstone, gave attendees hands-on experience with adaptive techniques.
“We know that providing these development mentoring programs, resources, and training will positively impact the lives of at-risk youth and will help guide these girls toward healthy and positive futures,” said Steve Salem, President and CEO, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “With the help of generous partners like Group 1001 and the Women’s Sports Foundation, we’re able to provide direct programming and female mentorship.”
During the event, Group 1001, the Women’s Sports Foundation and Parity presented Turnstone with a $50,000 grant through the “Gainbridge Assists” initiative.
The donation addresses stark disparities in sports access. Research cited by WSF shows 90% of women with disabilities lack athletic opportunities, with girls participating less than boys.
“As many in the sports world know, and our research confirms, far too often girls and women athletes with disabilities are under-resourced and overlooked at all levels, from school age to elite,” said Danette Leighton, CEO of WSF. “We’re proud to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Group 1001 ahead of the WNBA All-Star Game to promote inclusion and encourage more girls to come off the sidelines and experience the life-long benefits of sport participation.”
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Facebook @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more sports, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
