September 25, 2025
Breaking New Ground on the Court
The gym hums with the sound of sneakers squeaking and the echo of the ball hitting the hardwood. On the baseline, a determined young player catches her breath after a fast break. “I started playing basketball when I was four,” she says, a shy smile breaking into confidence. “It’s my first time playing with all girls. Really grateful they let me on the team. It shouldn’t just be a boys’ team.”
She high-fives a teammate, then dribbles up the court. The team is a swirl of energy—bright jerseys, focused eyes, and constant motion. “You meet new people and you learn different things when you play with different coaches,” she adds. Her love for the sport started in the backyard, battling her brother one-on-one. Now she’s “always on the scene,” helping others, leading huddles, and celebrating every good play.
When asked her favorite part, she doesn’t hesitate: “Try your hardest, play your hardest, talk to your team, and just have fun.” The pride is written on every face as the team wraps up their first girls’ basketball season—proof that opportunities like this mean more than just points on the scoreboard. “There’s a lot to us,” she says, “and I know this season has meant a lot to every girl who got to play in our first girls’ rec league.”
Photographer Sean Norona
Photographer Sean Norona
In Greensboro, the sound of progress isn’t always a groundbreaking ceremony or a ribbon-cutting; it’s moments like these: young athletes seizing new opportunities to compete, grow, and belong. This year, Greensboro Parks and Recreation took a big step toward leveling the playing field with the launch of enhanced girls’ sports programming at Sportsplex.
The idea for the program began with parents and players speaking up at Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. They wanted more spaces where girls could play on teams of their own, free from some of the challenges that can come with coed leagues, like being overlooked for passes or matched against much larger, older boys. The department listened, and in partnership with community organizations like UNC Greensboro, they built programming designed specifically for girls.
The effort began with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a day of multi-sport clinics led by Greensboro Parks and Recreation athletic staff, UNCG Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, UNCG student athletes, and Beyond Sports NC. Girls of all ages rotated through basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more, ending the day with discounted admission to a UNCG women’s basketball game. The energy in the gym was contagious, and the day set the stage for something even bigger: the launch of the first-ever Girls Basketball League at Sportsplex.
This inaugural season brought together girls from across Greensboro for a spring and summer of competition, teamwork, and personal growth. Assigned to one of four teams, 33 girls, ages 8-12, took the court—many playing on an all-girls team for the very first time. For some, it was their introduction to organized basketball. For others, it was a long-awaited chance to play the sport they loved in a setting built just for them.
The benefits of these programs reach far beyond athletic skills. Studies show that girls who participate in sports are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better academic outcomes, and stronger leadership skills. Locally, Greensboro Parks and Recreation staff are seeing the same impact—girls growing more confident on the court, trying new techniques, and supporting one another through wins and losses. As Monique Floyd, Greensboro Parks and Recreation’s Athletics Superintendent, reflects: “When girls have the chance to play, they gain more than skills — they gain confidence, friendships, and the belief that they belong.”
This first year set a strong foundation, but the vision is even bigger. The goal for next year is to double the number of enrollments to have at least 4 teams in the 8-10 age division and 4 teams in the 11-13 age division, for a total of 8 teams. The program will also be exploring other sports offerings—like softball and flag football—where girls can thrive in supportive, skill-focused environments. Partnerships will remain key, and there’s growing interest from the community in supporting these programs through sponsorships and volunteer coaching.
Photographer Sean Norona
Photographer Sean Norona
Greensboro Parks Foundation is proud to share these stories as part of our mission to highlight the impact of Greensboro Parks and Recreation. While the Foundation has not yet provided direct funding for these girls’ sports initiatives, the program’s early success was strengthened by in-kind philanthropic support from UNC Greensboro. Greensboro Parks and Recreation staff and UNCG staff and student athletes volunteered their time and expertise to lead skill clinics during the National Girls and Women in Sports Day event, introducing participants to multiple sports and creating a high-energy, confidence-building experience. As one parent noted, “Seeing college athletes work one-on-one with my daughter made her believe she could do it too.” By telling these stories, the Foundation aims to build awareness and community pride—and plants the seeds for future investment in opportunities that help our city’s youth grow into confident, connected leaders.