Sport
16 January, 2026
Local girls invited to United for Her clinics
A partnership between the Maryborough Basketball Association and Melbourne United is encouraging local girls to enjoy basketball in a fun and inclusive environment at a pair of free clinics.
Melbourne United is bringing its United for Her community basketball program to the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre this Monday, open to all girls aged between six and 18.
Originally funded by the Federal Government’s Play Our Way program, the initiative aims to create meaningful pathways for girls to participate in basketball and remove barriers that routinely inhibit girls from remaining involved in sport.
The two free two-hour sessions will be facilitated by experienced coaches, starting with the Come and Try Clinic at 10.30 am, tailored to girls aged six to 11 who are new to basketball or have limited experience.
Following the Come and Try Clinic is the Skill Development Clinic at 1.30 pm, focusing on the fundamental skills at an advanced level for girls aged 12-18 who currently play or have prior experience.
Maryborough Basketball Association treasurer Kendall McFadyen was invited to be a part of the advisory committee for the program, providing her opinion on how the NBL club can effectively provide opportunities to young hoopers across the state.
McFadyen said she’s excited to see an initiative that evokes her passion for the next generation’s participation in physical activity.
“I think this really offers a safe space for young girls to try something new that they may not have thought was an option,” she said.
“Melbourne United wanted to reach out to several clubs, both metro and regional, to try and identify the challenges and barriers of getting girls involved, keeping their interest and making basketball more accessible for young girls.
“It’s not just an active basketball session. They will be discussing the challenges that they face and making everybody aware of the different impacts that we are all experiencing.
“While we would love them to be involved in basketball, it just might give them a little bit of a boost and a bit more confidence to have a go at any kind of sport.”
With female participation a top priority, the Maryborough Basketball Association recently received a Play Our Way Association Grant from Basketball Victoria to provide a women and girls coaching development course to local coaches.
According to McFadyen, it’s incredibly vital to create safe and enjoyable spaces for girls to build confidence alongside their peers so they can achieve their full potential.
“While this program is specifically targeted at getting young girls involved, we did also identify the impacts of their external influences and weather that affects their desire to continue with sport,” she said.
“It’s opened my eyes to the different challenges that all communities face. I think locally, access to sports and maintaining viability here is difficult because the number of female participants is significantly lower than that of male participants.
“To offer specific female-based programs, which we do during the summer months, is vital. Over the winter competition, our numbers decline quite significantly.
“I think that a lot of girls potentially are put off by having to join a mixed competition, which is what we have offered in the past due to the banter and physicality.
“Resilience is also a really big thing in maintaining their interest and sometimes the interactions off the court with coaches, supporters and parents can influence the headspace of young girls quite easily.”
The United for Her clinic will be at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre this Monday, January 19. All participants will receive a t-shirt, basketball, drink bottle and a sports bra for girls aged nine and over.
For more information and to register for either of the free clinics provided, visit the Maryborough Basketball Association’s Facebook page.