Today, 8th March 2025, FIMBA GB joins in celebrating International Women’s Day with a look at some of our inspiring Women’s teams and players.
International Women’s Day first emerged in the early 1900s, from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe. It was then recognised by the United Nations in 1977 and now serves as a global call to action. It is a day when women are celebrated for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
We are blessed at FIMBA GB to have 7 age group teams currently training, with 5 of those going to the upcoming World Championships in Switzerland – the first time FIMBA GB has sent women’s team to the competition – as well as a FIMBA Scotland satellite camp running every week. For next year’s European Championships in Athens, Greece, FIMBA GB will again be pioneers for the Women’s game by the inclusion of a +65 team, who have already started training in preparation.
Our women’s teams have performed well on the international stage, winning 9 of our 16 global medals so far, including Gold and Silver at last year’s World Cup in Croatia for the +35 and +40 respectively.
Our most decorated team is the +35 Women, with two European medals (Bronze and Iron) as well as a FIMBA at Home Bronze and of course their World Cup Gold, and includes Rebecca Brindley and Lisa Greenaway who consistently rank in the Top 5 for points per game at every tournament over the past 3 years.
All women’s teams had Top 10 finishes in the most recent European Championships in Italy, with several players finishing in the Top 10 individual rankings across the age groups.
Our Women’s teams show what it is to be part of the FIMBA GB Family, embracing the Masters basketball ethos and enjoying themselves on and off the court. In most cases they are the ones entertaining other teams from around the world and forming great friendships, whether that is conga lines in restaurants or dancing on the bus to and from games, our amazing and inspiring women are ambassadors for the sport, our country and young women everywhere.
FIMBA GB’s long-term deal with KitKing, means all women’s teams wear the KitQueen logo to support their Mission, “to champion inclusivity, diversity and body confidence in her team sports.” The women’s Nike branded kits are designed around the female body shape to ensure they are not taking to the court in baggy men’s kits, as is so often the case, and includes a Hijab for our Muslim female players, so everyone has the opportunity to feel comfortable and included.
Following numerous high profile international women’s sports teams moving away from white shorts amid concerns over “Period Anxiety,” FIMBA GB also supported with the decision for all Men’s and Women’s team to drop the usual white away kit for a red one. The exclusive Nike store has a host of recreational items, available in women’s cut, as well as some exclusive branded sports bras and gym tops for women.
Of course, we couldn’t celebrate International Women’s Day, without mentioning our two founders, committee members and players, Maria and Nicky.
Nicky is the FIMBA GB Lead Delegate and currently plays for the +60 Women. A fully qualified referee, including wheelchair basketball, in which she was privileged to officiate at the London 2012 Olympics, Nicky has held several key positions in British Basketball over the years. At the British Basketball Federation, Nicky was a key ambassador for women’s basketball through coaching, officiating and playing, as well as working with FIBA to promote the HerWorldHerRules project to get more girls involved with basketball and overseeing the GB Women’s senior programme. Nicky received two Special Recognition Awards in 2024, at both the World Cup in Croatia and European Championships in Italy.
Maria started playing basketball aged 18, was inspired to play by her three older brothers, and she now also plays for the +60 Women. Her proud connection to the sport is that a relative (Paul Endacott, a Basketball Hall of Famer) played in the first Naismith team and was instrumental in creating the rules of the game. As well as playing, Maria has been an active committee member for a number of basketball organisations. She has also coached a number of teams at various levels, including Kingston College, Kingston University, South Thames College and Wallington High School in Surrey.
On behalf of FIMBA GB, thank you Nicky, Maria and all our incredible women on and off court for everything you do as you continue to inspire younger generations to keep working hard and playing.
