Girls Take the Court Event Celebrates Empowerment, Community, and the Love of Basketball

The inaugural Girls Take the Court basketball clinic was a resounding success on February 16, welcoming 50 girls ages 6-14 for an afternoon dedicated to skill-building, confidence, and fun. The event marked the first all-girls basketball clinic in Twentynine Palms history, emphasizing the importance of providing girls with opportunities to thrive in supportive, inclusive sports environments.

The two-hour clinic was led by Coach Schneider with the support of 14 athletes from the Twentynine Palms High School Girls Basketball Team. Participants rotated through basketball drills, skill stations, and interactive games, all while receiving positive encouragement and mentorship from the high school athletes.

The excitement continued with a special visit from the Copper Mountain College Women's Basketball Team, who showcased their skills, played knockout with participants, and took time to answer questions about teamwork, perseverance, and competing at the collegiate level.

Each participant received a GRL POWER swag bag filled with empowering items, including a "Her Winning Playbook" book, tickets to an upcoming Copper Mountain College women's basketball game, a basketball, and a "Just Do It" Nike poster autographed by both the high school and college athletes.

"The grant we received allowed us to create a truly special event that brought our community together in a powerful way," said Amy Tessier, Recreation Program Supervisor. "Girls Take the Court was about more than basketball - it was about showing girls that they belong in sports, surrounding them with strong role models, and creating a fun, empowering atmosphere. The energy in the gym was incredible, and the event was a huge success."

The gym was filled with laughter, applause, and positive encouragement throughout the afternoon, reinforcing the impact that intentional programming and representation can have on young athletes.

The event was made possible through a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association and Nike, in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day and NRPA's Get Her in the Game campaign.

Girls Take the Court set a meaningful precedent for future girls-focused programming in Twentynine Palms and demonstrated the lasting value of investing in opportunities that inspire confidence, connection, and empowerment through sport.