FIBA and Global Partner Nike Convene Leaders in Berlin to Advance Coaching Pathways for Women in Basketball

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), operating in partnership with Nike, has hosted a high-level leadership session during the FIBA Women in Basketball Forum in Berlin.

Centred squarely around the core theme of transitioning from grassroots participation to elite executive leadership, the collaborative session examined how inclusive, evidence-based coaching frameworks can secure robust, long-term developmental foundations for young female athletes.

The event brought together emerging industry leaders, international coaches, and delegates from premier development initiatives, including the FIBA Youth Leaders Program, WiLEAD Europe, and Adelante, to address critical workforce and coaching pipelines across the global sports economy.

Facilitated by general manager of Future of Youth Sport at Nike Dan Burrows, the program featured expert panel contributions from prominent figures including Dr Sergio Lara Bercial of Leeds Beckett University and ICOACHKIDS, former German national team player and HereToHoop community coach Ireti Amojo, Berlin Basketball Association leader Franziska Keich, and esteemed FIBA Hall of Famer Amaya Valdemoro. Discussions focused heavily on cultivating confidence, a tangible sense of belonging, and high-performance resilience among girls at the grassroots level, effectively aligning corporate social investment with sustainable participation growth.

Reflecting on the importance of aligning corporate sponsors, elite athletes, and sports administrators during a period of unprecedented commercial expansion, Valdemoro emphasised the enduring imperative of structured mentorship and grassroots engagement.

“I spoke about how to follow your dreams and how coaches need to be with young players – through my own experiences.”

“I was once a little girl dreaming to be an Olympic medalist.

“It is important to have these conversations because women’s basketball is growing and it is important for everyone to have this information – the sponsors, the players, the coaches and the media.

“Every year we are getting a step ahead. The balance is becoming equal. Women’s basketball is now globalised.

“I think social media has been helping. Also, my advice for people is to be yourself, don’t be afraid of anything, be brave, ask for help and follow your dreams,” Valdemoro shared.

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