Endesa will fund the creation of a mental health department at CEB Sant Jordi de Rubí, a Barcelona-based club with over 60 years of history.
The “Sigue Jugando” (‘Keep Playing’) project by CEB Sant Jordi (Barcelona) has been selected as the winner of the second edition of the Endesa Basket Girlz Awards. The initiative is designed to prevent adolescent girls from dropping out of basketball and aims to support the emotional and psychological well-being of the players.
Following a vote involving the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), Law6 (winners of the 1st edition of the Basket Girlz Awards), and Endesa, the award and the €10,000 prize were granted to this Catalan project in recognition of its value proposition. In addition to the financial award, the winning project will also receive a training session with psychologist Mar Rovira to further develop tools and knowledge in this field. This initiative strengthens the impact of the Basket Girlz Project and its goal of breaking the barriers that lead adolescent girls to abandon basketball.
“Keep Playing” aims to provide a comprehensive support space for adolescents, where they can develop both their sporting skills and their mental health. To this end, a dedicated area for psychological support consultations will be established, led by a professional specialised in sports psychology who will serve as a reference for the players. This space will be called “ZONE 0”, a safe place where individuals can express themselves without fear of criticism – a zone that encourages openness and emotional well-being without feelings of vulnerability or exposure.
In addition, bi-monthly psycho-emotional workshops will be offered to strengthen participants’ emotional tools, reducing risk factors such as stress and anxiety, which often contribute to sports dropout.
CEB Sant Jordi is a historic institution in the city of Rubí with over 60 years of history promoting sport and the values of teamwork, effort, and respect. According to CEB Sant Jordi representatives: “In recent years, we have observed a significant increase in the need for mental health support among our players. We have faced cases related to pressure management, anxiety, and even eating disorders. This highlights the importance of a sporting environment that enables early detection of these issues, allowing for immediate intervention and proper support so that young athletes can overcome these difficulties. Basketball is not only a tool for physical development but also a key space for fostering emotional resilience, self-confidence, and healthy emotional regulation.”
The 2nd edition of the Basket Girlz Awards received numerous applications by the closing date. The total number of submissions exceeded 100, representing an increase of more than 30% compared to the first Endesa Basket Girlz Awards.
Purpose-driven sponsorship
Endesa’s commitment to basketball is part of its purpose-driven sponsorship strategy – a way of understanding sports sponsorship that seeks to generate a positive impact beyond competition. Through various initiatives, Endesa promotes projects that use basketball as a tool to foster values such as equal opportunities, inclusion, teamwork, and personal development, thereby contributing to the growth of sport and society.
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. It operates an integrated business spanning electricity generation, distribution, and retail, and offers value-added services focused on the electrification of energy use for households, businesses, and public administrations. Endesa is committed to the United Nations SDGs and corporate social responsibility. In this area, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Our team is made up of around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel.