Sport

Glasgow University Women's Basketball Club (GUWBC) is a fun and proudly all-inclusive club, welcoming individuals of all abilities. In 2023-24, GUWBC strives to continue expanding the club through our Recreational and Performance programmes.

With a First, Second and Recreational team, there's a space for everyone at GUWBC – whether you've never picked up a basketball before, or are an experienced player. Basketball is an excellent way to improve your fitness, gain new skills and meet new people.

Performance Teams

First Team

The First Team is a highly competitive team, training three times a week and competing in BUCS 1A and the Scottish National League. The team is composed of our top performing athletes and experienced coaches, attracting many players with Scottish National Squad experience. Finishing 3rd in BUCS 1A in the 2022-23 season, 3rd in National League Div 2 and winning the Glasgow Taxis Cup, the First Team looks to improve next season, maintaining their Taxis Cup title for the 3rd year in a row and placing higher in both respective leagues.

First team players are provided with the following:

• Coaching from experienced coaches and trainers
• Two Team Training Sessions every week
• One Individual Skills Development Session a week
• Access to GU Strength + Condition Facilities & programme
• Video Tape Sessions
• BUCS games on Wednesdays
• National League games at the weekend

Second Team

The Second Team competes in BUCS 3A and enjoyed success in the 2022-23 season, finishing 2nd in BUCS 3A. They are also a highly competitive team, training twice a week though only playing games once a week.

Second Team players are provided with:

• Coaching from an experienced coach and trainers
• Two Team Training Sessions a week
• One optional Individual Skills Session a week
• Access to GU Strength and Conditioning Facilities and programme
• BUCS games on Wednesday

International

In 2022-23, GUWBC also created a select team composed of well performing First and Second Team players to compete internationally in "Les Parisiennes" tournament in Paris where they placed 3rd. This opportunity allows players to experience playing basketball and representing the University at an international level.

Recreational Team

Our Recreational Team is open to all abilities, with the aim being to cater for those with little or no basketball experience. Our Recreational Team began in 2019 and has grown substantially since then, boasting a very relaxed and welcoming environment. This is not a competitive team, though there may be opportunities to compete in friendly games throughout the academic year. Sessions run once a week and are led by two of our First Team players who bring fun to the sessions while also teaching the fundamentals of basketball and improving your fitness. This allows a fantastic chance to meet new people and socialise in a welcoming environment.

Outreach

In 2023-24, GUWBC is aiming to continue to expand its Social Outreach initiatives. We will be continuing to work with the Rising Stars Charity, a charity which serves to better the lives of young people in less affluent areas using basketball as a tool to do so. Our volunteers work in local schools providing regular basketball coaching sessions throughout the academic year. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to be part of this initiative, which is part of the FIBA #Basketball4Good Movement. For more information, find them on Facebook and Instagram.

In 2018-19 GUWBC also began a charity partnership with DUNK, a basketball charity based in Accra, Ghana. DUNK provides children from deprived communities in Accra with a safe space to learn, play sports and engage with their peers. For more information on DUNK please visit www.dunkgrassroots.org, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Throughout the year we host fundraising events for both Rising Stars Charity and DUNK.

Socials

GUWBC holds socials every Wednesday in conjunction with the Men's Basketball Club. They are a great opportunity to meet new people and to get to know your teammates. As well as our regular socials we also hold bigger events which in the past have included Subcrawls, Ceilidhs, 3v3 Tournaments, Pub Golf and Scavenger Hunts! Every year we also host formal events including our Alumni Dinner, inviting previous players for an evening of food, drinks and fun as well as our annual Christmas Dinner.

Welfare

The welfare of our members is the GUWBC’s utmost priority. Our mental health is equally as important as our physical health, and basketball is a great way to keep both in great shape. University can be a stressful time, with academic pressures and strains. As a club we recognise these pressures and strive to support our members in whatever way possible.

We have a designated trained Welfare Convenor who is contactable at welfareguwbc@gmail.com.

Our club strives to promote inclusivity within the community, promoting many social campaigns within the club and on our social media. We partake in many campaigns such as the Rainbow Laces Campaign, promoting visibility for LGBTQ+ people in sport.

Basketball Bursaries

Launched in 2016, the University of Glasgow Bursaries for Basketball aim to promote excellence within the Men's and Women's University Basketball Clubs to attract the best talent and support athletes in their quest to compete in basketball at the very highest level. As well as financial support, successful applicants will benefit from free access to University of Glasgow’s sports facilities, strength & conditioning and nutritional support, sport psychology sessions and assistance with negotiating academic flexibility.

• See the Scholarships & Bursaries page for details

Training

First Team - three sessions weekly + S&C

Second Team - two sessions weekly + S&C

Recreational Team - one session weekly

• See the Club Sport Training Timetable for training times

Other ways to get involved

Not interested in playing basketball but still looking to get involved? We also offer table officiating, refereeing and volunteering opportunities. These are great ways to learn more about basketball while getting to know people and helping your wider community. You can also come along on Game Days to support our teams! All our games are advertised on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Joining

With an excellent team of returning coaches and players, this is a fantastic time to join Glasgow University Women’s Basketball Club. Our club creates a safe, welcoming environment for members to develop themselves both as an athlete and an individual, with many sporting, socialising and social outreach opportunities available.

If you are interested in joining, please come along to see us at our stall at the Sports Fayre during Freshers Week and Re-Freshers Week. Alternatively, you can contact us to join or ask any questions via our social media pages.

Last updated: September 2023

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