Mavs Academy coach Kelli Robinson stood back in awe. Eighteen months ago she envisioned a program with the Dallas Mavericks that would shine the spotlight on girls who loved the game of basketball.
Now all that hard work had finally come to fruition.
Earlier this summer, the Mavs Basketball Academy hosted the franchise’s first all-girls hoop camp, sanctioned by a new Mavs’ program called GEM — which stands for Girls Empowered By Mavericks. This week in Duncanville, the second Dallas Mavericks All-Girls Hoop Camp is taking place in Duncanville.
Robinson, a former collegiate athlete herself, helped pioneer GEM with two other Mavericks employees, Lisa Byrd and Becca Brown.
“We wanted to develop a safe, emotionally and physically, environment for young girls to be themselves,” said Robinson. “We want to ignite this hope and belief inside them where they fully understand their potential.”
The desire to create a program like GEM became a personal mission for Robinson because she’d witnessed first-hand the growing apathy among young female athletes who she coached and worked with.
It’s the same trend that is rippling across the country for young girls in sports. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, participation in activities like basketball positively impacts the health and well-being of female youth — but twice as many girls quit sports by the age of 14.
There are a few reasons for this, like social stigmas and the lack of positive role models who are there to support and encourage young women.
The Mavericks hope to change that and get more young girls, especially between ages 9-14, involved in the game.
The age group was selected because studies show that more girls drop out of sports in that age group than any other. The Women’s Sports Foundation even identifies age 14 as the most pivotal age for girls because that’s when young women decide whether to participate or drop out in sports.
“I believe that the females in this organization are the backbone for why this initiative can succeed,” Robinson said. “We are so fortunate to have a platform here at the Mavs that allows us to share our experiences and use them as tips to help others.”
With the support of the Mavs behind them, Robinson and the Mavs Academy hit the ground running this summer and planned for two Dallas Mavericks All-Girls camps, inspired by GEM, with the second one starting Monday, July 12, in Duncanville.
Mavs.com had the chance to catch up with Robinson before she hit the court to find out more…
Mavs.com: The majority of our MFFLs were not able to attend the first girls camp. Can you describe what made the week so special?
Robinson: Our first-ever all-girls hoop camp was so special for several reasons but the main reason being the camper’s that participated, they’re what made the week so special. It was awesome to get to see them interact with one another and be put in positions to be leaders! They really embraced the people and opportunities that we’re sounding them. We had a terrific lineup of speakers that week; Sandra Brunson, Cynt Marshall (Mavs CEO), Becca Brown (Mavs Gaming Director), ZiggyZiah (Mavs Gaming), Jenny Boucek (Dallas Mavericks assistant coach) as well as Dr. Matthew Stokes and Dr. Jennifer Hughes from UT Southwestern. “Loved the guest speakers and all the female role models” is a quote from a few of the campers.
Mavs.com: It took about a year and a half for this camp to evolve – from the time you thought of it until the very first day of camp. Was it everything you imagined? How has the creation of GEM impacted you directly and personally?
Seeing GEM finally play out in our first in-person event, was even better than I had imagined. Getting to walk around The Sportsplex and see a gym full of young, confident, inspiring females, made the last 18 months’ worth it. One of the most special areas of this program to me is how much the organization and leaders of our organization, have embraced this program. From our sponsorship department to Executive Leadership team to the rest of our Mavs employees, everyone who has played a role in this program, has made it better because of their belief and buy in. It has been really special!
GEM has impacted me personally in various ways but first and foremost, it allowed me the opportunity to step back and think back about my past experiences and what helped me get to where I am today. It has been the highlight of my career by far to get to create this program with Becca Brown and see it through with Lisa Byrd because we’re making a difference! Every decision being made with this program is with the hope in mind to engage, inspire and empower young girls. This program has allowed me to step back and remember why I love what I do!
Mavs.com: Was there a quote/story or message from one of the previous speakers that really stuck out to you?
Robinson: All of our speakers were outstanding, and they all had a very similar message to the girls in the way of continuing to work and push yourself to be your best. They all gave a unique perspective on how to do that! One message that really stuck out to me was from our CEO Cynt Marshall and that message was to “Handle Your Business”. Handling your business comes in several different ways but they all revolve around getting the job done and giving it your all in the process! Cynt empowered the girls to handle THEIR business, not worry about what is going on that would detour that business from being handled. Really special!
Mavs.com This week is the second all-girls camp. What does the week look like?
Robinson: We’re super excited for our lineup this week! We will be hosting 35+ girls at the Duncanville Fieldhouse for our second and final all-girls Hoop Camp of the summer. However, we’re really looking forward to the role models and leaders that our going to come speak to the girls this week.
Here’s a look at the speakers:
Monday, July 12 at 12:00 p.m. – Gail O’Bannon, VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dallas Mavericks
Tuesday, July 13 at 12:00 p.m. – Dr. Tonia Marie Sabo, Pediatrics and Neurology, UT Southwestern
Wednesday, July 14 at 11:00 a.m. – Nate Hinton, Dallas Mavericks
Thursday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m. – Dr. Rachel Zettl, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UT Southwestern
Mavs.com: Is there anything else that you want our fanbase and audience to know about the Mavs Academy in general?
Robinson: We’re growing! GEM is growing and Mavs Academy is growing! We’ve loved every minute of this summer being able to be back in the gym with all the campers and coaches. Our campers and coaches are what make our jobs so fun and enjoyable. Thanks to everyone who’s been a part of it!
To read more about the GEM program and to sign-up your daughter, click here.
ABOUT GEM: Girls Empowered by Mavericks, aims to engage, inspire and empower young females (9-14) using physical activity as a backdrop for their continued development and success. Girls will learn to value their whole self; discover and develop their inherent strengths; and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face. We will offer programming and workshops for all groups.
ABOUT THE MAVS ACADEMY: After a year of virtual events, Mavs Academy, in partnership with Chick-fil-A DFW, will host in-person summer camps for the first time since Summer 2019. The Academy will bring back Hoop Camp, Dance Camp, Development Camp, Gaming Camp, and the inaugural addition of an All-Girls Hoop Camp. Mavs Academy will continue to monitor the guidelines from various government orders, health experts and the NBA to develop appropriate protocols (which may include social distancing, mask wearing, and sanitization) for the camps. The current guidelines allow in-person camps to be held at 50% capacity, with virtual camp options available.
Mavs Academy is dedicated to helping athletes achieve basketball related goals by utilizing cutting-edge training techniques and a distinctive coaching style that stresses physical improvement, mental growth, and leadership necessary for long-term development and success.
To register for Mavs Academy, visit Mavs.com/Academy.
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