St. Catharines basketball squad holding two International Women’s Day events

The Niagara River Lions are all in to create opportunities for women and girls, holding two special events as International Women’s Day approaches.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League squad that plays out of the Meridian Centre in St. Catharine is offering up ” initiatives set to take place this month that will aim to create opportunities for women and girls to connect and be surrounded by other female athletes and sport professionals with similar goals and aspirations.”

First up is all-girls basketball session for young girls aged eight to 13 years old. This two-hour clinic, ran by high-level female coaches and Niagara College players, will give participants the opportunity to learn and play amongst older female athletes.

It’ll take place at the Canada Summer Games Park in Thorold on March 11 from 10 am to noon. The session costs $65 and includes two tickets to a River Lions game, t-shirt and a swag bag. Check HERE for more information.

Then on March 16, the River Lions will host a “Give & Grow Basketball Planter Workshop,” a woman-led business centered around the purpose of growth while using sport as a vessel to encourage personal growth and development.

Female Sport Management students from Brock University and Niagara College will be invited to apply to take part in this three-hour workshop and networking event. Selected applicants will create and customize their one-of-a-kind basketball planter, while conversing and engaging in meaningful conversation with peers and mentors.

Mentors for this workshop will include Olivia Ho, Owner, Give & Grow, Michelle Biskup, Vice President of Operations, Niagara River Lions and N’ora Kalb, Director of Operations, Innovate Niagara.

“We are proud to introduce these two new and unique opportunities which perfectly align with everything that International Women’s Day celebrates,” said Biskup.

“As a woman working in sport, it is my pleasure to help inspire the next generation and pave the way for others. Our hope is that these two initiatives show young girls and women that there is a place and future for them in sport.”

Interested Sport Management students can apply HERE. Applications will be reviewed by the mentorship team and 20 will be selected to participate at no cost.

This workshop will be the first of many that the River Lions plan to introduce leading up to and during the 2023 season.

Each workshop will cater to a different demographic, but maintain the core values of networking, learning and growing.