The Alabama girls’ basketball team is REFUSED of the championship title after being forced to play in a boys’ league — and then winning the whole thing!
A fifth grade girls basketball team from Alabama was denied their championship trophy after being forced to join a boys’ league — and then beating all of their opponents.
The Spain Park girls team of Hoover, Alabama, were reportedly told earlier in the season that they would not be able to train at local gyms unless they joined the boys’ league.
In response, they did just that and won the championship – only to learn that the trophy would instead be given to the runner-up, whom they had just beaten in the final.
In a post on Facebook, Jayme Mashayekh – the mother of one of the players – said: “So proud of Rylie and her basketball team. It was a hard lesson you learned tonight. They won the 5th grade boys Rec-League championship but received no trophy.
“These girls have been playing together for a competitive girls league representing Spain Park for 3 years. All are fifth graders in the Hoover school system. Midway through the season, they were told they could not use the Hoover gyms for their exercises unless they paid to play in the Hoover Rec League.
Champions Spain Park pose for a photo to celebrate their win over the boys
“They were told to stay together as a team, they had to level up in the competition and play against the 5th grade boys. The girls have been mid-table throughout the season, losing several close games by 1 point.
“Playing against the boys was a challenge that they took on. It made them better players and a better team. They were told before the championship that they could be there but if they won they wouldn’t be allowed to have the trophy.
‘Forgiveness? What? What did you do to get disqualified? Didn’t they pay their dues? Didn’t they level up in the competition? Oh it’s because they’re GIRLS?!?!’
The Hoover Parks and Recreation Department website lists Spain Park as the basketball league champion after beating a ‘Knicks’ team in the finals.
In an update to her Facebook post, Mashayekh later revealed that “the City of Hoover and the Hoover Rec Center have made an effort to make things right for the girls.”
She didn’t reveal if they lifted the trophy but added: “Thank you for all your support and hopefully this is a step in the right direction for more/better access to facilities and opportunities for our female athletes.”
JAYME MASHAYEKH’S FULL POST
So proud of Rylie and her basketball team. It was a hard lesson you learned tonight. They won the 5th grade boys Rec-League championship but received no trophy. While it’s definitely not about the trophy, I don’t think it’s a lesson we should be teaching our boys or girls these days.
These girls have been playing together for a competitive girls league representing Spain Park for 3 years. All are fifth graders in the Hoover school system. Midway through the season, they were told they could not use the Hoover gyms for their exercises unless they paid to play in the Hoover Rec League. They were told to stay together as a team, level up in the competition and play against the 5th grade boys. The girls have been mid-table throughout the season, losing several close games by 1 point. Playing against the boys was a challenge they rose to. It made them better players and a better team.
They were told before the championship that they could be there but if they won they wouldn’t be allowed to have the trophy. ‘Forgiveness? What?’ What did you do to get disqualified? Didn’t they pay their dues? Didn’t they level up in the competition? Oh it’s because they’re GIRLS?!?!
So these 5th grade girls really played their hearts out, dropping everything on the floor and fighting their male peers just to be like, “No, I’m sorry you don’t count.”
I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed that I have to tell my daughter that things like this still happen. I am disappointed that we are teaching our children to accept things they do not deserve (other than salvation which cannot be earned). What I’m most disappointed in is my city, which doesn’t allow some 5th grade girls to play basketball.
TO UPDATE
The city of Hoover and the Hoover Rec Center have been striving to make things right for the girls. Thank you for all your support and hopefully this is a step in the right direction for more/better access to facilities and opportunities for our female athletes.
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/college-basketball/article-11824909/Alabama-girls-basketball-team-DENIED-championship-trophy-beating-boys.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 The Alabama girls basketball team REFUSED to win the championship after beating the boys
