The Grow The Game Tournament, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of equality and giving all girls & women the opportunity to lead, compete, collaborate, and honor one another through the game of basketball, returns in 2021.
The Grow The Game Tournament, whose motto is “For Women. By Women”, will be held at New Trier High School and North Central College in Naperville from December 18-22, 2021. Follow the tourney action on Twitter at @GrowTheGameIL. Scroll down to photo rotator at the bottom of this page to see the tourney bracket, matchups, and top players in the 2021 edition.
Mother McAuley coach and co-organizer Keisha Newell (pictured below) discussed the overarching goal of the tourney: “A tournament like this is important so that we continue to do our part in adding to the legacy of girls and women in sports. It is a part of this tournament's mission to empower, uplift, and provide resources to aid in the success of young women both on and off the basketball court. We know that amazing things happen when powerful girls and strong women are in the same space. We are proud to be a part of this event and look forward to continuing to ‘Grow the Game’.”
The tourney is co-organized and aims to feature teams coached by women, while also utilizing female officials for all contests. The tournament organizers include:
- Cara Doyle, St. Ignatius College Prep
- Kristi Faulkner, Glenbard West
- Meghan Hutchens – Lyons Township
- Brittanny Johnson – Evanston Township
- Keisha Newell, Mother McAuley
- Teri Rodgers, New Trier
- Kim Wensits, Yorkville
- Ashley Clanton, Norcross (GA)
"One of my goals of coaching is to keep young women in the game," said Doyle. "Even after their playing days are over, I would love my players to coach, become athletic directors, work as officials, and be involved in other jobs that keeps them connected to the game. It's important for young women to understand that they not only should be included in the sports arena, but they should be making the decisions. It's important for them to see women in charge, women coaching, women officiating, and women running events."
As the IHSA celebrates 50 years of Title IX in 2021-22, IHSA Coordinator of Special Programs Raye McDonald conducted a podcast with Newell, Rodgers, and New Trier assistant coach Eric Behm, who coordinates the marketing and graphics for the tournament, to discuss the Grow The Game Tournament. Listen below:
