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Eli Lilly and Company Launch “The Court is Hers” Initiative Enticing Girls to Play Basketball
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Key Takeaways
- Eli Lilly, Indiana Fever, and YMCA aim to increase basketball access for girls by waiving YMCA program fees, promoting inclusivity and empowerment.
- The initiative addresses higher dropout rates in girls' sports, especially among lower-income families, by removing financial barriers.
Eli Lilly partners with the Indiana Fever and YMCA to empower girls in basketball, removing barriers and promoting community engagement in sports.
The initiative with the Indiana Fever and YMCA of Greater Indianapolis extends accesses for younger girls to get involved in basketball spanning across Indianapolis.
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Eli Lilly and Company announced its partnership with WNBA team Indiana Fever and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis in an initiative to expand accesses and participation in basketball for youth girls. The partnership will waive registration fees for girls’ basketball programs inside the YMCA location as well as remove any constraints for young girls to get involved in the sport.
Jocelyn Boyd, regional vice president at the YMCA of greater Indianapolis, touched on the importance of the partnership and the YMCA’s role, saying, "At the Y, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow, thrive and discover their potential through the power of play. Our partnership with Lilly and the Fever helps level the playing field for girls opening doors to basketball and beyond, where confidence, connection and opportunity can flourish. Together, we're building a future grounded in empowerment and long-term community impact."1
Not a layup
Studies have shown girls have twice the dropout rate in organized sports compared to boys. These results stem from barriers such as accesses to sports teams & leagues, along with the cost associated with organized youth sports. Children in lower income households have even more barriers, with an estimated six times higher chance of being uninvolved in organized sports due to financial restrictions. The initiatives’ goal is to remove these barriers, allowing for children of any age and background to be able to participate, while also instilling healthy lifestyle habits.
Breaking down barriers
The initiative intends to remove any barriers for entry into youth sports programs while simultaneously investing back into the community, supporting community engagement through youth girls’ involvement in physical activates. The YMCA of greater Indianapolis aims to deliver programming that features basketball leagues and clinics supporting a variety of age groups, providing a sense of inclusion for any girl seeking involvement.
Amber Cox, chief operating officer and general manager of the Indiana Fever, spoke on the initiatives impact on the younger female community, saying, “We're proud to team up with Lilly and the Y to help more girls in Indianapolis get in the game. 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."1
Eli Lilly’s commitment
The partnership reflects Eli Lilly’s commitment to holistic health, aiming to expand accesses to physical activates, while also building a support system for younger children. "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," says Jennifer Oleksiw, global chief customer officer at Lilly. "Through partnerships with the Indiana Fever and the YMCA, we're helping to bring those benefits closer to home increasing access here in our communities and helping every girl see that the court is hers."1
Sources
- Lilly launches "The Court Is Hers™" to help more girls get in the game Eli Lilly and Company https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-launches-court-herstm-help-more-girls-get-game
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