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Eagles have one eye on records as The Big One approaches

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date20 March 2024
Publication titleEvening Chronicle
That's the verdict of Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles guard Zoe Willis as attention turns to the most talked-about fixture of the season

The Big One returns to the Vertu Motors Arena on Saturday when Sheffield Hatters visit Tyneside in the Women's British Basketball League.

And once again the dual focus will be on bringing a record crowd through the doors and shining a light on the positivity underpinning the UK's fastest-growing familyfriendly sport.

"We're targeting the youth and the girls within our basketball community and showing them what's possible when you become a part of this wonderful sport," said Willis.

"All of us have been out in schools across Tyneside in the last few weeks, inspiring girls and getting them involved in training sessions.

"We want them to come along on Saturday, experience a great night and see what can be achieved.

"Newcastle is a great place to learn basketball, play basketball and watch basketball and we want girls and young women to know that."

Willis is representative of a generation of British women who came to basketball in their teens - often only after being introduced to football or netball.

But ahead of The Big One she believes the North East's next generation have never had it so good should they aspire to follow Matt Newby's top-flight stars and shoot for the professional ranks or stay in the sport in a different role.

"I think when they see us play and they get involved in the STEM project - run by my team-mates Chloe [Gaynor] and Marina [Fernandez] - the girls in this part of the world see basketball in a very different way," added Willis.

"Basketball in education is a boom area. Even if girls don't get on the court as much as we'd like then they can be actively involved in basketball-related activity off it.

"Sometimes I pop in towards the end of the STEM sessions and of course the kids are chasing autographs and wanting to play the...

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