Women Series qualifiers part of World Tour weekend 12 & 13 October
3X3 Unites is committed to gender equality within 3x3 basketball. Therefore, the foundation is proud to announce that this year, during the World Tour Amsterdam Masters, a qualifying tournament for the Women's Series will be held at the Gashouder.
3X3 Unites' theme is: From the streets to the world stage. This applies to both men and women. During the World Tour Amsterdam Masters on 12 and 13 October, women will have the opportunity to show their skills on the same stage as the men. Each time slot over the two days will include at least one men's and one women's game.
“The addition of a women's tournament is extremely important to us," says Jesper Jobse, tournament director and co-founder of 3X3 Unites. He also points to the strong performance of Dutch women last year. The Dutch women's 3x3 basketball team became European Champions, while the under-23 women's team won the World Title.
ROLE MODELS ON WORLD STAGE
There is no World Tour for women, so Jobse would have preferred to bring the Women Series to the Gashouder. However, due to scheduling constraints, this was not possible as the Women Series season ends in September. Therefore, he came up with an alternative by hosting a qualifying tournament for the Women Series for the next season. “We will ensure a fantastic international event, with substantial prize money, so that women get the platform they deserve.”
Melissa 't Jong is also excited about the addition of the Women's Series during the World Tour Amsterdam Masters. She has been campaigning for gender equality within 3X3 Unites for several years. “We have noticed that it is more difficult to get girls involved in our activities. With boys it is much easier.”
According to 't Jong, the Women Series qualifier during the World Tour Amsterdam Masters can go a long way in getting more girls involved in 3x3 basketball. “At 3X3 Unites we work with role models on a local level, but it works the same way on the world stage. When girls see the best female 3x3 basketball players in action, they will be inspired.”
GENDER INCLUSION
3X3 Unites has a long history of promoting gender equality. The foundation works with Nike Made To Play to improve gender inclusion. The focus is on both the internal organisation and the participants.
In addition, 3X3 Unites runs Girls Only Leaders courses, training girls to become role models. “Girls often feel safer or perform better when they are only with girls," says 't Jong. “The more girls we have as role models, the easier it is to create a large community of girls.”
NETHERLANDS A FORERUNNER IN 3X3
The Netherlands is an international leader when it comes to women's 3x3 basketball. The country has one of the few pro leagues where women can earn money. "At the Olympic Games, European Championships and World Championships, men and women always play alternately. That's what makes 3x3 basketball so beautiful," says 't Jong.
Maksim Kovacevic, coach of the women's 3x3 basketball team, is happy about the addition of the Women's Series during the World Tour Amsterdam Masters. "This is a wonderful reward for the success the Dutch women have achieved over the past year. It's great that 3X3 Unites is willing to take a risk and make a difference."
Kovacevic believes that the qualifying tournament at the Gashouder can give a big boost to the women's 3x3 basketball programme in the Netherlands. "For children it is important that a sport is visible in order to get in touch with it and develop an interest. The qualifying tournament for the women's series at the Gashouder is a great example of this."
