Basketball Club (Women's): Community Outreach Officer

Hey! I'm Natania Yasuo, a first-year biochemical engineering student. Through this role, I aim to:

• Increase inclusivity. Sport is for everyone and for some, university may be their last opportunity to try out a new sport. I plan to eliminate barriers that may make starting basketball seem daunting.
• Promote engagement with the community.
• Execute community events to increase our exposure. I aim to collaborate with other societies to elevate our platform and reach a wider audience.

Growing up as a Chinese-Indonesian girl with a passion for basketball, access to sports had often been obstructed. Now, am determined to create an inclusive space for everyone to enjoy the sport.

UCSLAAAY!!

I am really passionate about basketball as a sport. It has been a safe place for me, providing me with happiness and comfort. Therefore, I have always believed in the positive impact of basketball and sharing the ‘Gospel of basketball’ with other girls. For example, I set up a female basketball club in high school (Only had 5 girls playing in the beginning) and hosted a school-wide female basketball league with more than 100 girls participating. However, the role of community outreach officer has greatly opened my mind. It made me realize I ignored what the basketball community itself could offer. By establishing a bridge between the basketball community and communities in need, we could make the light of basketball continue to shine outside the court. 

And, it might sound a bit gross, but I do love UCLWB. This is the place where I met so many interesting people, this is the place where I got to play with girls who are also passionate about hoops, and this is the place I want to contribute to. I would love to put into much time and effort to organize charity events (e.g. in the form of games) so that club members can enjoy themselves while helping others.

Finally, not gonna lie, if there is a job called community outreach officer in the Basketball Association, it would be my dream job. I love basketball, I love doing something that has a socially fulfilling purpose (which is why I applied master's in social policy and social research), it would be like a dream come true.