International Women’s Day to be celebrated with blockbuster sport weekend

International Women’s Day will be celebrated with a high-energy weekend of elite sport, community celebration and female empowerment at the University of Essex.

The Essex Rebels will host two days of standout fixtures, bringing professional athletes, fans, families and business leaders together to champion the continued growth of women in sport.

The programme combines grassroots participation, top-level competition and recognition of local female leaders.

The University of Essex-based basketball and volleyball sides are inviting the community to the Colchester Campus’ Essex Sport Arena on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March.

It is a standout fixture in the Rebels calendar, following the team memorably breaking the women's British basketball attendance record in 2023 - relive the day in the video below.

The weekend begins at 1.30pm on Saturday with the Her World, Her Rules basketball clinic for girls aged 7 to 14, delivered in partnership with Basketball England and international partners.

Designed to inspire more girls to take up basketball, the clinic will be led by Rebels women’s basketball players, giving 60 youngsters the chance to train with trailblazing female athletes.

All girls that take part get a free t-shirt and tickets to the double-header basketball included

Organiser Liv Partridge said: “Sport is so powerful for young girls, and we want to bring as many of them together as possible to celebrate International Women’s Day.

“I know how much events like this matter, and we want to build confidence, have fun, and show girls that basketball is for them.”

To sign up follow this link and enjoy last year's event in the gallery below.

From 2pm, the excitement extends outside the arena with a vibrant Fanzone, open to the community.

Music, interactive games and great food, plus free giveaways from Monster Energy, will keep the energy high ahead of the on-court action.

Fans will also have the chance to win tickets to visit Colchester Zoo, generously donated by the Colchester Zoological Society.

On court, the drama intensifies at 4pm as the Rebels women take on the Newcastle Eagles in a crucial clash that will determine the final league standings.

At half-time, Colchester BID will present awards recognising outstanding local female business leaders.

Fans will also be treated to performances from Dance Exclusive, as well as University of Essex cheer and dance teams.

The action continues at 6.30pm as the Rebels men face Hemel Storm in a vital game as they push for a playoff place in the inaugural season of the British Championship Basketball League.

Essex Rebels Manager Diana Voynova said: “International Women’s Day holds a special place in the Essex Rebels calendar.

“It is about inspiring the next generation, recognising the achievements of women in our community, and demonstrating the powerful role sport can play in building confidence and leadership.

“We’ve worked hard to create a programme that is exciting, inclusive and meaningful, and I would strongly encourage everyone in the local community to join us.”

The celebration continues on Sunday 8 March as volleyball takes centre stage.

The action begins at 12pm with a University of Essex female social volleyball session for students, delivered by Essex Rebels women’s volleyball players.

At 2pm, the Rebels men’s volleyball team take on league leaders London Giants in their final home fixture of the season. The day concludes with the Rebels women facing Team Sideout Polonia.

With the season series tied at 1 to 1, the Rebels will be seeking redemption following a dramatic 2 to 3 defeat in the National Cup quarter-finals.