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Breaking Barriers & Building Future Stars

Shooting Touch Monthly Newsletter | June 13, 2024 | Explore Our Impact

Shooting Touch & The BAL Unite For Hoops, Health in Rwanda

BAL4HER activation features basketball clinic and health education workshop for women & girls

On May 31, Shooting Touch collaborated with the NBA’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) for the second consecutive year, hosting a basketball event promoting health and gender equality in rural Rwanda! The initiative provided 150 women and girls with a dynamic basketball clinic led by the BAL4HER U23 team, along with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) resources.

After a morning of hoops, dancing, and community building, local gender experts delivered valuable SRHR education and resources to Shooting Touch beneficiaries and BAL4HER players, including interactive sessions on how to access youth-friendly SRHR services, contraceptives, and menstrual hygiene products; information and concepts related to family planning; and promoting intergenerational dialogue on sex and SRHR amongst women of all ages.

At the conclusion of the event, Shooting Touch announced that all beneficiary attendees would receive reusable menstrual hygiene pads, along with education on positive menstrual hygiene practices. Additionally, the BAL committed to funding a new latrine on-site to promote healthy hygiene among players and community members. Click HERE for the full event recap and photos.

Global Sports Diplomacy Exchange Hosts Shooting Touch

Shooting Touch Boston’s Kamilah Washington travels to Tonga for impactful exchange program

From basketball to table tennis, the International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPI) Exchange Program to Tonga provided an inspiring sport-for-development experience for Shooting Touch's Director of Boston Operations, Kamilah Washington. Held from May 19-31, the sport diplomacy program was organized by Women Win, the U.S. Department of State, and the Tonga Table Tennis Federation (TTTF). Shooting Touch was one of 11 sport-for-development organizations from around the world that had a representative selected for the international exchange.

By engaging with a variety of Tongan sport organizations working to address issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; gender-based violence; and female participation in sport, Kamilah witnessed the powerful intersection of sport, culture, and social impact in an entirely new context.

Kamilah is excited to bring her learnings back to our Boston programs, and the Shooting Touch team extends a huge thank you to TTTF, Women Win, and ISPI for this transformative experience!

A Spectacular Basketball Journey to Pennsylvania

Shooting Touch Boston’s 17U “AAU The Right Way” squad grows together on tournament trip

Shooting Touch Boston's 17U “AAU The Right Way” team delivered a standout performance at the PRIME Event basketball tournament last week in Pennsylvania, securing double-digit wins in multiple games and coming up just one point shy of victory in the quarter-finals. The weekend was a whirlwind of intense matches, strategic play, and nail-biting moments. Yet despite the tough competition, the team demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship throughout, celebrating victories and handling defeats with grace and respect.

However, the trip offered much more than just memorable basketball action - it was a journey of growth, bonding, and unforgettable experiences: “What struck me most was how the trip fostered a sense of unity among players and parents,” said one father who accompanied the team. “Staying together, sharing meals, and exploring local venues created bonds beyond the court. The laughter, late-night strategy sessions, and mutual encouragement was heartwarming.”

The start of summer AAU action has been full of remarkable moments, including bigs wins on the court, a flurry of university scholarship offers for Boston athlete-beneficiaries (with more upcoming offers anticipated!), and unbreakable bonds formed on team roadtrips and outings. With basketball as our vehicle, Shooting Touch is nurturing future stars and uplifting communities.

Big Shots, Laughs & Impact at Shooting Touch’s Golf Tourney!

Annual golf fundraiser draws Shooting Touch supporters for a fun, competitive day for a cause

Last week, the Shooting Touch family showed up to the 5th Annual Shooting Touch Golf Tournament in style, and brought incredible energy and excitement!

Each June, Shooting Touch supporters spend a day together at the beautiful Walpole Country Club, attending not just for the love of golf, but to drive big change in Boston and Rwanda. This year’s tournament was filled with great shots, big laughs, fun prizes, and a shared commitment to using sport to break barriers for youth and women facing racial, gender, and economic disparities.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support a great cause, and congratulations to our winning foursome: Liam Kennedy, Ryan Angell, Chris Casey, and Patrick Frodigh! A special note of appreciation goes to Pak Solutions (Hole in One Sponsor) and the Layden Family (Double Eagle Sponsor), as well as our Eagle, Birdie, and Hole Sponsors who generously supported the event. Your generosity makes our powerful work possible!

Shooting Touch invites you to our upcoming Signature Events in the Boston area:

Have a question about an upcoming Signature Event? Contact Cecilia Reyes, Shooting Touch’s Assistant Director of Development, at cecilia@shootingtouch.com for all event inquiries.

Shooting Touch is an international sport-for-development organization whose mission is to use the mobilizing power of basketball to bridge health and opportunity gaps for youth and women facing racial, gender, and economic inequalities in Boston and Rwanda.

 

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