Streetball now has its Rouen tournament. For two days, this Friday and Saturday, young people from the Grammont district in Rouen competed in a 3×3 basketball tournament. The principle: three players face three others with the aim of putting the maximum number of points in a single basket. The tournament was organized by the R’Streetball association on the Emilie Gomis pitch, inaugurated a year ago.
– Manon Lombart-Brunel
Democratize streetball among women
For the occasion, the Olympic basketball vice-champion in London made the trip to promote integration through sport, with a particular mission in mind: to democratize the practice of street basketball among women: “They are still perhaps a little impressed because the image of the street is a lot of boysexplains Emilie Gomis. This is also what I am fighting for. It is awareness work. You have to go to her and tell them that there is nothing to be shy about. Like any project, it takes time but I am confident for the future.”
In the middle of basketballs, Theila, she is no longer to be convinced. She participates in the tournament and has been playing streetball for a long time. “All you need is a ball, shoes and the desire“, explains Theila. It is accessible all the time. It is ultimately a place of life. You leave your house, you don’t really know what to do, you go downstairs, you see people on the street and you tell yourself I’m going to go. No one is going to tell you no you’re not playing with us, they’re going to welcome you with open arms.”
– Manon Lombart-Brunel
Connect through sport
“Sport is the key to reconnecting peoplebelieves for his part Axel Roberrini, co-founder of R’Streetball, which organizes the event. To be able to see smiles again, to give strength to young people who are sometimes in a vacuum and in nothingness. I think this is the best key.“
In addition to this tournament, an educational program for neighborhood students must be set up around the Emilie Gomis basketball court during school holidays.