They may have differing individual and cultural views; but the girls of the IRC Lady Colts share a passion: the love of basketball.
By Cassandra Aman
The Rescue Committee (IRC) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1933 well known for its humanitarian relief efforts. Annually, the IRC helps as many as 7,000 refugees resettle in the U.S. and become self-sufficient.
One of the challenges IRC faces is adapting immigrant youth to American culture. This challenge was quickly put to ease in San Diego when six girls and four mentors took the court for a game of basketball. The game was such a success that IRC began a Friday night girl’s basketball league at the Colina Del Sol Park and Recreation Center. Before long 30 girls from different countries were taking to the court, gaining self-confidence, the benefits of physical activity and a strong connection to American culture.
Team captain Fadumo Issa was able to provide a little more insight as to how the team was formed, “We started playing in the summer, we were playing basketball, we enjoyed playing basketball and we asked our teacher if we can play in a team. We had to invite our own friends so they could play with us, so we made flyers and we give them to everyone so they could come and play with us. We need all girls to play sports!”
“As immigrants, basketball gives girls one more way to connect to American students. It gives them a sense of belonging,” comments Christina Piranio, Youth Program Specialist at IRC San Diego. The vocabulary the girls learn, “Dunk! Shoot!” are all universal phrases we take for granted but they provide another piece of common ground for these girls and American students.
In 2007, Gatorade and the Women’s Sports Foundation granted IRC Lady Colts Basketball a $2,500 Ambassador Team Award. The Ambassador for the team grant assisted IRC in providing travel, equipment and apparel to the deserving Lady Colts. Part of the grant was used to enter the Lady Colts into a girl’s basketball league. “This was the first time the girls had ever played competitively, they each learned more about their specific strengths and most importantly, the necessity of teamwork,” says Piranio.
After the girls participated in a community league, the Lady Colts put together their own league of 6 middle school teams. The girls love the game and are open to new members despite background or the ability to verbally communicate. Through the added challenge of communication the girls are able to build camaraderie through their actions; demonstrating the fundamentals to the new girls and morale boosting nonverbal cues.
Piranio says it best, “Above and beyond the technical aspects of the game, just playing basketball is so positive for youth development. The girls are able to work collaboratively as a team, they win and lose together.”