A League of HER Own is building girls’ self-esteem through community hoops

In 2022, A League of HER Own debuted in Toronto, providing girls aged 13 to 18 in the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) — a public agency that provides and manages affordable rental housing for low and moderate-income residents in Toronto — with an opportunity to play basketball and foster friendships across neighborhoods.

• Today, the program has expanded exponentially, moving to the state-of-the-art MLSE LaunchPad, a Toronto-based facility that uses sports, education, and wellness programs to support youth development and promote healthy, active lifestyles, this summer.

• More teen girls recognizing their potential through the power of sport? All for it.

🏀 The background

A League of HER Own is a relatively new initiative, but the TCHC has been in the game of leveraging sports to support youth for years. In 2013, the organization started Toronto’s Midnight Basketball league, bringing together boys aged 14 to 19 for free hooping on Fridays, giving them a safe place at night. But Midnight Basketball is about way more than just working on layups.

• Since its inception, the program has prioritized both personal and physical development, as the boys are treated to transportation, dinner, life-skills workshops, and even guest appearances from the Toronto Raptors.

👊 The evolution

Inspired by the success of Toronto’s Midnight Basketball, A League of HER Own, the girls-only corresponding pilot program, was created in 2022 to address the sports participation gap between girls and boys.

• Canadian girls are dropping out of sport at an alarming rate. According to the 2020 Rally Report, 62% of adolescent girls are not participating in sport, with girls three times more likely to quit compared to boys.

• The major reasons why? Low confidence, negative body image, and poor perceptions of belonging.

To combat the above, A League of HER Own took a page out of the Midnight Basketball program, but tweaked a few things to put girls’ unique needs first.

• This year’s workshops, for example, are centered around self-esteem. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with mentors and learn how to take care of their bodies by building lifelong, positive habits in a supportive community. A recipe for success.

✏️ What the kids are saying

The proof is in the pudding. Almost 58% of last year’s A League of HER Own participants plan to return to the program this summer, having found positive role models in their coaches and other staff members while increasing their physical activity. A win win.

• Amina, a 2023 participant, said, “Being able to meet and connect with other girls interested in basketball and athletics created such a positive and welcoming environment. I’ve made great friends from the program and will definitely be joining again.”

• Sabrina, another member of last summer’s cohort, confirmed, “The experience helped me gain more confidence and make lasting friendships. Overall, I’m glad I went because it taught me a lot about myself and helped me grow.” Pass the tissues.

💟 How you can support

The 2024 girls’ program starts on July 8th, so before the hooping and hoping begins, click here to learn more about MLSE Foundation or make a donation to support keeping girls in sport today.