Suns-Moultrie: The need for further development programs for women’s basketball – footboom1.com
Women’s Professional Basketball League (WNBA) standout Jonquel “JJ” Jones made Bahamian history by becoming the first female player to win WNBA Finals MVP, leading the New York Liberty to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. won the WNBA Championship with a close victory.
Her outstanding accomplishments are sparking important discussions to strengthen the structure and support of women’s and women’s basketball programs in the Bahamas.
Anastasia Sands-Moultrie, president of the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association and head coach at St. Augustine’s College (SAC), shared her perspective on the need for development at the grassroots level.
“We need to introduce more developmental programs, starting at the mini-level. It is important that we focus on continuous development rather than one-off efforts at the high school or night league level. “From my perspective, there is a significant lack of development in high school. Some teams appear to be coached by coaches who are more interested in financial gain than the development of their players,” she said. said.
Sands-Moultrie passionately argued that the women’s program needed the same equal emphasis and funding as the men’s basketball initiative. “If we could apply the commitment given to men’s programs to women, we could achieve much more. But unfortunately, funding is lacking. Even when we request it, we are often short on support in terms of supporting women’s initiatives. “I’m facing rejection,” she continued.
Notably, Jones, the 2024 WNBA Champion and Finals MVP, made it to the WNBA Finals four times before winning the title. Her journey includes two Finals appearances with the Connecticut Sun and two with the New York Liberty.
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Despite his current success, Jones left his hometown of Holmes Rock as a teenager to pursue his dream of becoming a professional player.
According to Sands-Moultrie, the environment for women’s basketball in the Bahamas could be greatly improved with more training facilities. “We need a venue for practice. Currently the Sir Kendal Isaacs Gym is often occupied by other events and cannot function as intended. We need more accessible facilities and parks. “Using a park also allows for outdoor training, come rain or shine,” she noted.
The head coach of SAC’s senior women’s team pointed out the need to increase interest in the sport among young women. However, she is optimistic that Jones’ historic achievement will provide a significant confidence boost. “Her success is a beacon of inspiration for young athletes. We need to foster more interest in women’s collegiate basketball and the WNBA. Young people typically have more exposure to the NBA and men’s leagues. “This season set the standard for what women can accomplish in basketball, not only in the Bahamas but around the world,” she emphasized.
In her mission to improve women’s basketball, Jones plans to work with her Liberty teammates in the near future.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) has scheduled two parades in New Providence and Grand Bahama on November 16 and 18 to celebrate these efforts.
In addition, Jones will host workshops and clinics across both islands during this period, with the aim of inspiring and nurturing a new generation of women’s basketball talent.