Better mental health
Higher self-esteem
Improved academic performance
Lifelong habits that promote well-being3
That’s why we’ve launched The Court Is Hers, a bold, citywide effort aimed at increasing girls’ participation in local basketball programs, and we’re teaming up with the Fever to promote the initiative and get more girls involved in Indianapolis.
[00.00]
[Closeup of basketball, cut off on the right side of the frame in a darkened room.]
[00:03-00:04]
[Garage door slowly opens behind the basketball, exposing backyard vegetation and the lower part of a basketball stand and illuminating the dark garage]
Narrator: I’m Stephanie White, Professional Women’s Basketball Coach.
[00:05-00:08]
[Electronic/hip-hop style background music is introduced. Girl picks up basketball, ducks under opening garage door and begins dribbling in front of the basketball stand, now further exposed. The dribbling creates a rhythm and gets louder.]
Narrator: They say it's just a game.
[00:08-00:10]
[Girls putting hair in ponytails to play in a basketball court. Family members are seated sparingly in the background. Closeup of a white sneaker being tied as a girl walks in the background.]
[The word “POWER” appear on screen in all caps in white text, overlaying the visuals.] Narrator: We know it's power.
[00:10-00:13]
[Two girls are dribbling on an outside court in the daytime, fighting for control of a basketball. Closeup of a girl smiling. Medium shot of a girl smiling with basketball on hip.]
[The words “CONFIDENCE” and then “HEALTHY HABITS” appear on screen in all caps in white text, overlaying the visuals.]
Narrator: It’s confidence. It builds healthy habits.
[00:13-00:18]
[Establishing shot of a girls basketball game. Action shots of girls passing the basketball to each other and their feet moving on the court. Girl making a layup.]
Narrator: Yet, for many girls, that future is sidelined.
[00:18-00:20]
[Low angle shot of basketball going through a hoop. Two girls playing basketball at the end of a driveway. The basketball stand is up against a white garage. Two houses flank the makeshift court, lined with overgrown shrubbery.]
Narrator: Girls don’t play at the same rate as boys.
[00:20-00:24]
[5 girls sitting on the sideline of a game, clapping. The girls slowly fade away on the bench, disappearing as the camera zooms out. The number of girls sitting reduces to 2.]
[The words “AGE 14” appear on screen in all caps in white text, overlaying the visuals.]
Narrator: And by age 14, twice as many girls drop out.
[00:24-00:28]
[Girl shoots a basketball on an outside court, then walks away, fading away, then disappearing.]
Narrator: Not always by choice, but
[00:28-00:30]
[Girl looking through a gymnasium window into a basketball court longingly from behind a closed door.] Narrator: because of things beyond her control.
[00:30-00:33]
[Girl sweating and panting from playing hard. She looks up.] Narrator: Cost and access shouldn't be barriers.
[00:33-00:35]
[Girls passing to each other to that ends in a basketball being made.] Narrator: Being able to play shouldn’t just be a dream.
[00:35-00:40]
[Girls going through plays on clipboards with coach. Girls giving each other high five on the court.] Narrator: This court? It was made for her.
[00:40-00:42]
[Girl receives a pass. Basketball being played.]
[The Court is Hers Logo appears dramatically, laid over a polished wood floor.] Narrator: Introducing The Court Is Hers.
[00:42-00:50]
[Sequences of girls passing and running down the court that leads to a basket.]
[The words “REGISTRATION FEES” appear on screen in all caps in white text, overlaying the visuals. Red lines strike through line text.]
Narrator: Lilly is changing the game. Opening doors. Eliminating basketball registration fees.
[00:50-00:52]
[Girls doing conditioning training.] Narrator: Fueling a movement.
[00:52-00:55]
[Three girls smile with the center girl’s arm slung around the shoulder of the girl on the right. The is holding a basketball on her hip with her other arm. The girl on the left has her arm around the shoulder of the center girl. Closing montage of C/U of girls faces - different ages, backgrounds.]
Narrator: Her future is here.
[00:55-00:57]
[Girls doing a team cheer, hands in. Undershot of the hands lifting as a team.]
Narrator: The Court Is Hers
[00:57-01:03]
[The Court is Hers white logo appears dramatically against a black background. LEARN MORE Lilly.com/The-Court-Is-Hers.com fades in.]
We know improving health often takes more than medicine. Sometimes it means supporting:
- Environments that encourage movement
- Systems that expand opportunity
- Relationships that build resilience
The Court Is Hers is helping the Y to remove registration costs and strengthen local community infrastructure to ensure that more girls in Indianapolis — regardless of zip code or family income — have a place to play and a reason to stay in the game.
This effort builds on our broader commitment to improving lives and communities and advancing equitable access to health. As a company headquartered in Indianapolis, we’re proud to support organizations that know this city — and its kids — best.
A team effort
The Court Is Hers brings basketball to trusted community spaces. It supports efforts to provide free local leagues and clinics through the Y to help more girls feel like they belong.
Learn more about upcoming clinics and league registration dates at indymca.org/the-court-is-hers.*
*Registration fees are covered only at YMCA of Greater Indianapolis locations. Visit indymca.org/the-court-is-hers
- CDC. (2024). Benefits of Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits/index.html
- Women’s Sports Foundation. (2024). Do You Know the Factors Influencing Girls’ Participation in Sports? Retrieved from https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/do-you-know-the-factors-influencing-girls-participation-in-sports/
- Women’s Sports Foundation. (2024). Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls’ Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Thriving-Through-Sport-Executive-Summary.pdf