Amayah & Annika during Saturday morning training.
Welcome to our first TRUCE Basketball Academy newsletter! The purpose of TRUCE newsletters are to share all about the development of TRUCE as an organization and the development of TRUCE girls on and off the court. 
As of this spring TRUCE has officially relaunched! For the past year I have been working behind the scenes on different administrative tasks for TRUCE. While the administrative tasks are very important for TRUCE to thrive and grow, there is nothing that I love doing more with TRUCE than being on the court with girls.
For the past few months I have had the pleasure of hosting training sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays. And while all of the girls have already improved their basketball skills greatly, their holistic development is always the highlight of training for me.
T.R.U.C.E. – Teachable, Resilient, Unique, Confident, Encouraging
Before and/or after training we talk about one of the 5 TRUCE character traits, Teachable, Resilient, Unique, Confident, and Encouraging. Together we talk about the meaning of the trait and how girls have or will display the trait. The past couple of weeks we’ve been talking about teachable and resilient.
During a training session, Jazmine, who is in the 5th grade and played basketball for the first time this school year, was having a hard time properly finishing her left hand layups. She tried over and over again until she was able to correct her footwork and properly finish her left hand layups. After we completed training and began talking about our character trait of the day, resilient, it was sweet to encourage Jazmine in how she didn’t give up on her left hand layups but was resilient until she was able to do them correctly.
By noticing things she’s doing incorrectly on the court and problem solving to correct it, Jazmine is building confidence in problem solving that will help her both on and off the court. The beautiful thing about basketball is that it has the ability to not only develop and transform basketball players but to develop and transform humans also.
The development that has taken place on and off the court and the relationships that have been built between myself and girls and their parents/guardians, has filled me with so much excitement at what’s to come for TRUCE. I can’t wait to share more about all that is to come!
Jazmine confidently completing a left hand layup.
DID YOU KNOW…
“59% of parents whose children play fall sports say the cost is a financial strain for their family.” (Women & Health – “Nearly 60% of families say youth sports are a ‘financial strain’–3 ways to budget for them”)
At TRUCE we believe finances shouldn’t be a reason girls don’t participate in quality, competitive basketball. We believe all girls deserve the opportunity. TRUCE comes alongside girls, and their families, to provide the resources needed so that finances aren’t a barrier.
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for support in the mission and vision of TRUCE Basketball. Whether you’ve supported TRUCE with your finances, prayers, encouragement, or guidance I am forever grateful. TRUCE can’t do what it does and won’t be all that it was founded to do without the support of generous and compassionate individuals like yourself. Again, thank you!
Gabrielle Clark – TRUCE Basketball Academy Founder & CEO
