This semester, a new team has been added to the roster of club sports on campus: All-Inclusive Club Basketball (AICB). Although AICB is new, the idea has been in the works for some time. The absence of a woman’s club basketball team was felt among students, prompting several to come together and form their own team. As AICB President Ella Assouramou says, “I knew of Club Basketball but did not feel it was a space where I could fully enjoy playing the sport. So, I wanted to start a basketball club that was tailored towards women and non-binary folk who enjoyed playing basketball.”
The term “all-inclusive” is designed to promote a welcoming space for female and non-binary Clark athletes. According to Assouramou, “‘All-inclusive’ is a term I used to define a space for female-identifying people and those who feel comfortable in female spaces. I believe the club promotes this by emphasizing that it is a club that is tailored towards women and non-binary folk and promotes this through inclusive language.”
AICB intends to be a welcoming space for people to join, encouraging players of all skill levels to join. As Vice President Josephine Peterson explains, “It’s important to have an all-inclusive club basketball on campus because it allows players with little experience or those who simply want to learn, to join without feeling excluded. It provides a space for people from all backgrounds and skill levels to play, learn, and enjoy the sport.”
Although the team is still figuring out the structure of practices, they will be generally skill-based, working to grow the abilities of both new and seasoned players. According to Publicity Chair Abbi Gilbert, “The club is open to people at all skill levels, whether you have played your whole life, just a little bit, or have never played basketball before.” AICB believes in making Clark sports more accessible, as Gilbert says, “This is a big step for club sports and can get more people involved in healthy and fun competition.”
Currently, AICB practices will mainly consist of drills, scrimmages and friendly games. However, when looking toward the future of the club Assouramou states “If the club decides to take a competitive route, there would be practices that are focused on game skills.”
Weekly practices will take place on Mondays from 7 p.m to 8 p.m in the Kneller and are open to all. The club is also seeking an additional weekly practice time at the Dolan field house. Students interested in AICB should visit the team’s Instagram page @aicb.cu or contact the team via Engage to learn more.
