A Note from the Court - Her Side of The Story - All Girl Baller, Natalie, Htown 5th grader

A Note from the Court - Her Side of The Story - All Girl Baller, Natalie, Htown 5th grader When I first joined the all-girls basketball team at the YMCA started by Coach Cora, I didn’t know what to expect. I used to think basketball was only for kids who were already tall, fast, or super good at sports. I wasn’t good at any of those things. I had just turned nine and had never dribbled a ball before, but I decided to give it a try when my mom saw a flyer for registration on Facebook. I had no idea what I was doing the first day and I remember feeling small in the big gym, but now after more than a year I got better at it and started shooting farther away and doing layups. I think I realized I became a good defender when we faced the Kipp all-girls team. I am not going to lie, they are really good and they always win, but it teaches us so much. It has made me more confident in myself, has helped me make amazing new friends and taught me how to be tough in ways I never imagined. A big part of that is because of my Coach, Coach Cora who believes in us. She knows how to be positive but pushes us to do our best each game. Her encouragement means so much to me. When I first started I never thought that I could do any of the things I do now. When I made a shot against the hardest team, I felt proud and thankful for Coach and my teammates. Pretty soon I wasn’t just playing basketball I wasn’t playing basketball I was making friends. Real friends. The kind who cheer for you even when you miss the basket and are always there to give you a high-five. There is Lucia who is fast and good at shooting. Then there is Amelia, a good catcher, rebounder and always open. Next there is Croix who is so good at passing and shooting too! I just name a few but all my team are great and I have learned so much from each of them. We had silly little moments like one time I fell on air somehow while we were running laps. I also love my team because we laugh together and we have silly moments too. Working together as a team and our passion for the game makes our friendships strong. It has shown us what toughness really means. The game can be tough but even when we lose we have fun. Basketball has also been something that has brought me and my Dad closer. His coaching from the sidelines always gives me the extra push I need. I am always grateful when he takes time out of his day to take me to practice shooting hoops at the park. I am very glad I took a chance and joined the All Girls Ball basketball team. I am now stronger, braver, and so happy when I play the game. We learned how to steal and make a smart pass and sometimes remember a new play. I feel proud of myself not because I learned how to shoot a ball in a hoop but because I found a hidden talent that I have and a game I love. ### A Note from your Coach - Are we able to influence emotional strength through basketball? Yes! And so much more. All Girls Ball culture and coaching keeps skills serious, demands effort, and always encourages a silly and fun approach to candid skill building. A team sport that develops the entire player. We teach girls to take the shot, take the ball, take a chance, make a new friend, be brave, bold, and challenge themselves. Parents see these skills show up off the court as well. “Working together as a team and our passion for the game makes our friendships strong. It has shown us what toughness really means.” – Natalie Your little female leaders are calling out for a team like this if they say things that make it seem as though they don't yet understand they’re a part of something bigger at school, at play and at home. All Girls Ball aims to show girls on and off the court through coaching and encouragement that everything they do is possible and a part of something beyond them. Please stay connected to our monthly Her Side of The Story blog posts, submit your own at info@allgirlsball.com, and share this mission your preferred social media channel to help bring coaching and teamwork like this to more girls across Houston.