This training programme is part of Endesa Basket Girlz, an initiative aimed at tackling the premature dropout of adolescent girls from basketball.
The report that gave rise to Endesa Basket Girlz found that one in four girls who stop playing does so because of disagreements with their coach.
The free online course launched last November on FEB Academy, the Spanish Basketball Federation's official coaching education platform. More than 600 coaches have already completed it, with an estimated impact on over 7,000 players.
Mar Rovira, former professional player, senior basketball coach and psychologist, authored the report that inspired the Endesa Basket Girlz project and was also responsible for designing this training programme, which also features contributions from former player María Pina.
Six months after its launch, the Basket Girlz Coaches' Course: The Role of Coaches in Preventing Girls from Dropping Out of Basketball has trained 649 coaches to help tackle the premature dropout of girls from basketball. Based on an average of 12 players per coach, the programme is estimated to have the potential to positively impact more than 7,000 players across Spain. The course is available free of charge and 100% online through FEB Academy, the Spanish Basketball Federation's official training platform.
The Basket Girlz project, promoted by Endesa in collaboration with the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the Higher Sports Council (CSD), aims to encourage thousands of girls to overcome the barriers that lead to dropping out during adolescence. The report that inspired the project found that the reasons behind this dropout are multifactorial, highlighting family environment, the lack of female role models and the challenge of balancing sport and education.
The report also identifies coaches as key figures in preventing dropout. According to research carried out by sports psychologist Mar Rovira, who has more than a decade of experience in this field, 25% of adolescent girls stop playing because of disagreements with their coach.
The coaches who took part in the course, whose educational role is fundamental in players' development, completed all training modules and passed a final assessment. The programme was delivered with the support of experts including Mar Rovira. According to the specialist, "the role of coaches is essential, above all, in creating a motivational climate that fosters two key elements: learning and enjoyment."
"If we want girls to come back to the next training session, these elements are crucial. Throughout the course, we provide coaches with the tools they need to motivate adolescent girls," says Rovira. In addition, María Pina shares her experience from her dual perspective as a former professional player and coach, offering practical advice and personal insights.
Erika Fernández, a participant in the Basket Girlz Coaches' Course, gave a positive assessment of the programme: "It has given me a much broader understanding of why girls stop playing basketball and shown me that it is never down to a single cause. The course places a strong emphasis on motivation and helping girls stay involved in sport, and it has made me reflect on factors I hadn't realised could influence a girl's decision to quit basketball, such as pressure, self-imposed expectations and comparison."
"I've also learned how to approach girls' challenges with greater empathy so they don't feel guilty. When coaches focus too much on turning basketball into a race to see who is the best and constantly compare players, many girls begin to lose confidence. Coaches have a key role to play in helping girls stay in the sport for longer."
For his part, Ignacio Asensi, Endesa's Head of Sponsorships, highlighted the "excellent response to the course, which shows that we are on the right track and that initiatives like this have a direct impact on addressing a real issue."
Endesa Basket Girlz: the smart choice is to keep playing
The Endesa Basket Girlz project was launched in 2021 by Endesa, in collaboration with the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the Higher Sports Council (CSD), to analyse and tackle the dropout rate among adolescent girls in basketball. Key Endesa Basket Girlz initiatives include content showcasing female role models, experiences with professional players from the Endesa Women's League, the creation of study spaces to help balance sport and education, and the second edition of the Basket Girlz Awards, which on 12 May announced the winning project to receive €10,000 to promote women's basketball.
Endesa promotes women's basketball through initiatives such as Endesa Basket Girlz, aligned with its mission to promote sport as a tool for equality and personal development, particularly for women. As sponsor of the Endesa Women's League and the Spanish National Team, the company nurtures a passion for basketball from the grassroots level, contributing to a more active and inclusive society through initiatives that help retain young talent.
About Endesa
Endesa is the leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. The company operates an integrated business covering electricity generation, distribution and retail, while offering value-added services focused on the electrification of energy use for households, businesses and public administrations. Endesa is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to corporate social responsibility. In this area, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Endesa employs around 9,000 people and is part of Enel.