Our closing huddle a few weeks ago. Teachable on three… 1, 2, 3 TEACHABLE!

We’ve already completed five weeks of our Saturday Skills Clinic program and have seven more weeks to go! Within the five weeks we’ve had a total of 12 girls attend, with 9 being the largest attendance for a clinic.

In the midst of all the basketball drills, shots made, teaching moments, and high-fives, my favorite minutes of Saturday Skills Clinic is our starting and closing huddles where we gather in and around the circle at half-court.

During our opening huddle we discuss our previous WOTD (word of the day), reflect on our new WOTD, and remind one another of our TRUCE motto, “work hard, make mistakes, get better”. During our closing huddle we spend time encouraging one another. During this time I open the floor for girls to share something they saw someone else do well and then I share something every girl did well.

In the circle is our space where we set the tone for our time together and encourage one another before we leave the gym. It is a joy watching the girls share and receive encouragement. These moments in the circle are confidence and community building moments. I hope that every girl that participates in TRUCE Basketball grows in their confidence as a basketball player but more important as the human they are and know they have a community within TRUCE that welcomes and encourages them.

After our opening huddle we work on stationary ball handling.

DID YOU KNOW…

“Children aged 6-18 from low-income families are six times more likely to quit sports at the recreational, club and high school levels for financial reasons than children from higher-income families.” (Tucson Weekly, On the rise: Expensive youth sports clubs have deepened the economic divide).

At TRUCE we believe finances shouldn’t be a reason girls don’t participate in quality, competitive basketball. We are committed to coming alongside girls, and their families, to provide resources needed so that finances aren’t a barrier.

YOU’RE INVITED!!…

The past 9-months I have been participating in an entrepreneur program through Hustle PHX, a local nonprofit that empowers entrepreneurs in their business journeys. On November 16th, myself and five other entrepreneurs will be pitching the businesses we started as the final step of the program. I’d love to have your support as I pitch TRUCE for the first time in-person. Pitch Night begins at 6:30PM and will be at Fabric in Tempe (132 E 6th St Tempe 85281). Please let me know if you have any questions about Pitch Night.

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for your 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 & Executive Director