Course Content
6 — Framework for gender mainstreaming in coach education

Slovenia & Europe

FIBA European Women’s Basketball Summit (formerly FIBA Europe U15 Girls’ Camp)

Country

Slovenia (Postojna)

Organization(s) Involved

  • FIBA Europe (overall coordination)
  • Slovenian Basketball Federation (KZS) (local host)
  • European National Federations (NFs) which are invited to nominate a woman coach and a woman referee annually to the Summit.

Description of the Practice

  • The annual event, previously run under the banner of FIBA Europe U15 Girls’ Camp, is organized by FIBA in cooperation with the Slovenian Basketball Federation (KZS). The Camp was launched in 2007 and is one of the most stable programs in FIBA Europe calendar.
  • FIBA European Women’s Basketball Summit is an annual two-part development summit —originally focused on U15 female players, now inclusive of coaches and referees. Hosted in Postojna, Slovenia, it combines elite on-court training, mentoring from top European instructors, and off-court networking through various activities.

Main Objectives

  • Enhance technical skills of U15 women players in an international environment
  • Develop coaching and refereeing capacity among women
  • Foster leadership and exchange among stakeholders in European women’s basketball

Key Activities

  • Player training: drills, skill development, competitive games
  • Coaches clinics: led by renowned European coaches
  • Referee training: fitness, mechanics, game management sessions
  • Networking: group workshops, team-building, and stakeholder dialogues
  • Cultural activities: e.g., trips to Postojna Cave and social events

Target Groups

  • Women U15 basketball players
  • Adult women coaches and referees nominated by NFs

Results / Impact

  • Since 2007, more than 1,460 participants from 47 national federations have attended the event.
  • Over the years, some of the most renowned women’s basketball players, coaches and referees at major international tournaments, have shared their vast experience with the camp participants.
  • The highest participation (135 persons) was recorded in the 2019 edition.
  • 17th edition (July 2024): 23 women coaches and 24 referees from 31 countries participated in clinics and mentorship.

Challenges Faced

  • Balancing technical development and networking across diverse participants and roles
  • Ensuring continuity and consistent impact at the grassroots level after the summit
  • Scaling from a U15 camp to a broader women-in-basketball platform

Transferability

  • The model can be adapted to other regions —pair training, coaching, and refereeing
  • Offers a template for blended technical, leadership, and cultural exchange programs

Link or Supporting Material

FIBA Europe Summit page: https://about.fiba.basketball/en/regions/europe/activities/women-in-basketball/summit

Contact Person

FIBA Europe Women in Basketball Coordinator – contact via FIBA Europe regional office

Slovenian Basketball Federation (KZS) – local organizing unit in Postojna