Leaders of unites #5 yueliza gonzalez

My mom has done very well as a single mom and I think she is proud of the person I have become!

My name is Yueliza Figuereo Gonzalez and I am 20 years old. Currently, I live in Zwolle with my mother, 14-year-old sister and 12-year-old brother. I was born in Amsterdam, where I used to live on the Kinkerstraat. Back then, we often visited my family in Kraaiennest, in the middle of the Bijlmer neighborhood. I remember this Dominican bar nearby where we often came for some good food. We played outside a lot, hung out on the streets, but also played games. I have been playing basketball since I was eight, but unfortunately I will have to take a gap year from the sport due to health problems.

Growing up, the relationship between my father and my mother was very difficult and unstable. As a result, we moved around a lot. When I was six I promptly had to leave Amsterdam. Together with my mother we relocated to Leeuwarden, which was the first option available to us. The switch from the lively center of Amsterdam to the quiet village of Stiens near Leeuwarden took some adjusting. Fortunately, we had a very nice neighborhood, where we often played games with all the kids that lived there. I knew every alleyway, garden, and creeks. We often went swimming in the lakes, and we played football on the lawns.

After some time, my parents tried to give their relationship another chance, but it didn’t work out again. As a result, we had to move once more, and we ended up in Zwolle. We’ve been living there for 12 years now. I think Zwolle is the perfect combination of Amsterdam and Leeuwarden. There are parts of Zwolle that are very quiet, where you can enjoy walking in nature, but the city center is still quite lively.

Nowadays, the contact between my father and me is very inconsistent. Sometimes things go well, and at other times not so much. In the beginning, I found this very difficult to deal with. I was young, and I found it hard to express my feelings.

Currently, the contact between my father and me is very precarious. Sometimes it is great and at other times it is difficult. In the beginning, it was very hard for me to deal with. I was young and I had trouble expressing my feelings. I am not really talkative when it comes to my emotions, so I ended up looking for another outlet. In the end, basketball has helped me a lot. I have learned to express my feelings, but also to control them. My mom has done very well as a single mom and I think she is proud of the person I have become!

Now, I have control over my own personal growth

During the season I am invested in 5 against 5 basketball, but 3X3 is also very important to me. It gives me heaps of freedom and I can show a lot of myself, discover new things and experiment. 5 against 5 is a different structure. You do not get a lot of freedom, because you have a certain role to play in a team, either because of your height or because of your skills. For example, in 5 against 5 I like to play the passing game, get my teammates involved. In 3X3 however, I love those one-on-one matchups! It has also shown me that I can go my own way and am allowed to be myself.

For me, 3X3 Unites as a foundation represents togetherness. Many people in the community live throughout the country, the world even, but if we are together, we are really together. That is one of the best feelings, knowing that you belong somewhere. Thinking of myself only two years ago, I never thought I would be here now. Now, I have control over my own personal growth.

One of my strengths is my ability to create situations where people feel at home and welcome. I was able to develop this by means of 3X3. In addition, I have learned to be more independent, and supervise others, instead of always following.

I used to be more of a follower, but after my Leader Course at 3X3 Unites I am confident enough to step up and claim my responsibility.

I found my place at 3X3 Unites

When it comes to my dreams for the future, I think I have found my place! What 3X3 Unites does, I have been looking for something like that for a very long time. Combining basketball as a sport, whilst also pursuing a social purpose. Hopefully, I can continue to grow and obtain my own spot within the foundation, because letting go of the basketball is definitely not an option. I would love to put more effort into training girls in basketball and maybe follow that path, with the ultimate goal of a 3X3 Pro League for women!

Another big dream of mine is to bring 3X3 Unites, and all their knowledge, to the Dominican Republic. That truly is my country and I would be very happy if I could develop the activities there and instruct and train the people. When I think about the future, I am really looking forward to it! I think if I keep my dreams in sight, I can make them come true!