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Inspire Girls Sport League

Statewide League

In November 2024, we met with New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwich, Hartford, East Hartford, Norwich, New Britain, Waterbury, Danbury, Clinton, as well as others to begin the process of forming an Inspire statewide girls’ recreation Sport League.

It will begin with basketball and move to other sports as appropriate in respective communities. Details are being worked on currently and by the end of November we will have a plan for a spring-into-summer league which will include a one-day jamboree which will include drills and fun competitions as well as games. Each community will have one or two nights of practice per week and games will be played on weekends.

Facilities are being identified and games scheduled. Health/wellness and The Justice Education Center’s ECHO curriculum (Empathy, Character, Hope and Opportunity) curriculum will be  incorporated into the program.

Leadership Summit

A one-day Girls Leadership Summit in collaboration with the University of Connecticut will be held in the spring at UCONN, introducing approximately 200-250 girls to female leaders on campus and exposing them to potential majors, careers and areas of interest.

Individual Cities and Towns

East Hartford

Entering 3rd year of relationship, our pilot city, with summer camps and winter clinics have served over 200 girls grades K-8, more camps and winter clinics planned.

Waterbury

Just finished year 1 with one of the nation’s best PAL programs, serving 250 girls. Entering into year 2 our programming includes basketball, volleyball, softball, flag football, cooking, arts/crafts, gardening. 500-750 girls, grades K-12.

Hartford 

  • Summer Night Gyms, a program partnering with Hartford Sports and Recreation and Active City, began Monday July 8th at 4 locations throughout the city Monday-Friday, 4pm-8pm 700-1,000 girls, grades K-12.
  • Mentor golf, 10 girls with mentors, incredibly successful program introducing Hartford kids to golf. Helps remove barriers such as cost, accessibility and equipment.
  • Double Dutch, supported team giving them the resources necessary to compete at the world championships, where they placed 2nd!

Working extensively with the City of Hartford’s Sports and Recreation Department and the non-profit organization, Active City, to launch a much-needed girls basketball program. Partnering with Wilson Gray YMCA to create a girls’ basketball program in collaboration with Hartford Sports and Rec and Hartford Hurricane Girls basketball to create programming for girls to learn and play basketball. Other aspects of this program include teamwork, accountability and self-esteem. Through sport, we are teaching leadership, teamwork, health/wellness and how to prepare healthy meals. We also have an arts and crafts component of our programming to encourage their creative minds.

New Haven

The initial partnership/collaboration in New Haven was with Camp Farnham/Clifford Beers in the summer 2023, with 100 girls ages 5-12 participating. With the growth of New Haven’a PAL program, more kids throughout New Haven were able to become involved.  In the Fall 2024, Inspire flag football, providing jerseys, football gloves and an end-of-season party. Additionally, girls’ basketball clinics, which provided basketball shirts, backpacks and water bottles for each girl, were held. During the holiday season, the Letters to Santa project was supported which included envelopes/stationary as well as gifts to deliver to the kids. Also included are reading days, or Thursdays with a ‘PAL’ includes books, board games, snacks and drinks for the participants.

Bridgeport

Completed year 1 of partnership with Caribe, a non-profit organization that serves children and youth in greater Bridgeport. In year one, 175 high school aged girls participated. In year two of the collaboration, 400 participants were served. Programming included developmental clinics to help the girls learn skills as well as participate in competitive games. Initiatives included leadership development, teamwork, communication, respect, responsibility and self-development. The Sacred Heart University Women’s Basketball Team has been actively involved in the clinics. In the Fall 2024, the collaboration grew to include a cheerleading program, serving 40 participants.

Portland

  • New partnership with Portland Park & Recreation, 2 weeks this past summer.
  • 80 girls, grades K-8 incredibly well received. This program helps the fledgling girls sports program in Portland.

Ansonia/Derby/Shelton

  • Winter clinics in Ansonia December- March, twice a week, 2.5 hours/night. 50 girls, ages 6-13.
  • Maria Conlon and BattleCon Basketball Camp, 2 weeks in August summer 2024, 200+ girls, 5th-10th grades drawing from towns across the Naugatuck Valley.

Also included in Maria Conlon’s program is her unique Work Hearter initiative which teaches girls the importance of aligning work with passion and the concept of working with your heart to find your true passions. Over 1,000 girls have gone through her Work Hearter program to-date.

Norwich

In partnership with Norwich Technical High School, this effort focuses on summer camp experiences. Two weeks are being planned for this summer with anticipated enrollment being 80 girls. 

Expansions

Danbury

Former UCONN Women’s basketball star Maria Conlon, recently named the Head Coach of Western Connecticut State University’s Women’s Basketball Program, is committed to working with Inspire in the Danbury community. Planning is underway with an anticipated Spring start.

Manchester/Tolland

Beginning discussions with Park and Recreation Department as well as Youth Services to address current needs, specifically helping to support a girls’ referee program.

New London

Have identified two well-established girls’ basketball programs and planning is underway. Anticipated start-up will be in early spring.

Groton

Progression is a program which strives to teach the fundamentals of the game in clinics as well as game competition. Inspire provided initial support this past year and discussions are underway to determine potential future programming in collaboration with Inspire’s partner, the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.