FRA - Basketball is top women's team sport in France
TOULOUSE/RODEZ (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - Women's basketball has always held an important place in the French Basketball Federation's (FFBB) promotion of the game. That notion is well supported by the following statistic: out of France's 456,036 licensed basketball players, 178,885 are women and girls. "Basketball is the first ...
TOULOUSE/RODEZ (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - Women's basketball has always held an important place in the French Basketball Federation's (FFBB) promotion of the game.
That notion is well supported by the following statistic: out of France's 456,036 licensed basketball players, 178,885 are women and girls.
"Basketball is the first women's team sport in France," said Thierry Balestiere, head of the French delegation at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women. "Women represent 40 percent of our licensed players. We have to make sure that we look after that important group and have all the necessary facilities and right infrastructure for them to keep on playing."
"We have everything in place to spot talented girls from a very young age. We use the same means as we do with boys, but it's true that some clubs tend to give preference to the boys and men's game."
Balestiere believes that hosting the inaugural FIBA U17 World Championship for Women accomplishes several things for the sport.
"From the point of view of the public and the fans, this tournament will raise their awareness to the game of basketball. There is the potential to develop a new fanbase, to encourage them to come back and watch or even make them want to play," he explained.
"From a player's point of view, it helps with their development. Taking part in any and all competition at this age is good for their growth."
The first-ever FIBA U17 World Championship for Women has been successful so far, but Balestiere takes a cautious approach.
"Right now it's hard to tell if the creation of a World Championship for this age group is a good idea or not, simply because there is no precedent. So only time will tell. But I believe that all these youth competitions mould young players and so it's a positive concept," he added.
Quick facts about France
France has a population of 65.4 million people.
France has the fifth largest economy in the world.
The FIBA U17 World Championship for Women in Toulous and Rodez is the first basketball World Championship event - senior or junior - to take place on French soil. The country has already hosted several European Championships.
FIBA/LOC