Catherine Carr has seen women’s basketball transform immeasurably since she first arrived in this country, but it’s also taught her valuable lessons about being a woman and what it is to fail.
On this International Women’s Day the WBBL (Women’s British Basketball League) star, and reigning MVP, has explained just how her sport has made her the woman she is today and where the sport can go from here.
Carr is one of the leading figures in the league since the WBBL was founded back in June 2014 and the Sevenoaks Sun captain has helped transform her side into the most decorated women’s basketball franchise.
She may have three leagues and play-off titles, as well as triumphs in the WBBL Cup and Trophy under her belt, but in a conversation over Zoom it’s clear just how much pushing the women’s game means to her.
For so many women’s sports the key lies in funding, sponsorship and additional support.
“A lot of kids play it [basketball] but it’s hard to excel and to develop that growth because of the lack of resources,” she said.
“I remember at Sevenoaks kids would come from so far - an hour or two hours one way - just to get to this gym to play basketball.
“In the States that’s unheard of, you don’t do that. You can go 15 minutes down the street to find a basketball place to play.
“That part still needs growth and that’s obviously going to come with support.”
‘It has taught me how to fail - that’s really important as a woman’
Despite everything Carr has accomplished in the WBBL, she speaks passionately about the impact basketball has had on her life and how it has developed her into the woman she is today.
It’s a perfect example of how vital sport can be and just why it’s paramount it’s given the credit it deserves.
“Without basketball I wouldn’t be who I am today, for sure,” she said.
“It has taught me many of life’s lessons and I’ve been able to interact with people that I probably never would unless I had played the sport.
“It’s definitely diversified my friend group and diversified me - just learning about different cultures and individuals in general.
“I think that in basketball - people don’t like to say that it’s about winning and losing - but it is. That’s the goal of basketball is to win, right?
“Unfortunately you don’t always win so it has taught me how to fail and how to bounce back from that.
“I think that’s really important as a woman because I feel like sometimes you are not seen as equal to men.
“How are we going to be able to strive above that and, sometimes, it’s about taking the higher road rather than trying to battle it out.
“It’s about figuring out what I can do to present myself and make myself as valuable as I see myself.
“It’s definitely taught me self-worth, it has taught me to not dim my light and really shine. When people compliment you, or praise you, you should accept it.
“I think it has taught me never to think we are less than even though - sometimes in the sporting world - women are not as appreciated.
“But I think the camaraderie and the way that women can support each other - women supporting women is a very powerful thing - so it’s definitely taught me that too. Appreciate other women.”
“The more it’s out there, the better”
While funding and sponsorship also has its place in bringing women’s sport to new levels, it doesn’t have the same impact if it isn’t visible.
Those increased levels of visibility have already aided the likes of the WSL and England’s women’s rugby team, and it’s something that the WBBL is looking to tap into at the same time.
“The more it’s out there, the better, and the easier it is to access, the better,” Carr explained.
“I think that’s why the pandemic was a great thing in the sense of, for the league, everyone decided we need to live stream these games.
“How are people going to view them? It’s crazy and obviously, as an import, it’s really important for me personally because my family and friends back home want to watch the game.
“But just allowing people here in this country to access these games is really important.”
With International Women’s Day sweeping social media, and women being celebrated across various spheres today, it’s a reminder of just how many remarkable individuals there are in women’s sport.
It also proves just how valuable a day like today is as women’s sport continues to catch up in large parts, compared to where men’s sport is.
“This is a great day and it hasn’t gotten recognition as much when I was growing up or when I first got here,” Carr added.
“But I think, now, people are starting to recognise and celebrate certain things much more, which is really important as a society to home in on these certain days and take an emphasis on what women actually do and achieve.”
- To find out more about the Women's British Basketball League click here.
