The program is providing young women a chance to improve their skills on the court and gain important life lessons from sports and teamwork. 'I could see that girls needed a safe space to play, meaning like they needed a little bit of structure and they needed to have a female presence around to feel comfortable in the gym,' said Ariel Castillo, the assistant director of the Barry Carr Sports Leagues at the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula.
'Castillo's love of basketball started early thanks to her father's long career in coaching, which he continues today. While she initially wanted to coach boys basketball, she realized the impact she could have on girls. The lessons that come from high school competition are so valuable to all students and the ability to play others they wouldn't normally come across during the school year makes it even more of a meaningful experience.