Ep 20 | More Women Coaching, More Girls Staying: The Southern Wolves Story with Shakira Bone

How do we create sporting environments where girls don’t just join — but actually want to stay?In this episode of There She Is, Philippa Bowman from Womensport & Recreation Tasmania sits down with Shakira Bone from Southern Wolves Basketball Association, winners of the Women and Girls Participation Award at the 2026 Clubs Tasmania Awards.Shakira shares the practical strategies Southern Wolves are using to increase participation and retention for girls, including girls-only opportunities, building confidence before competition, prioritising social connection and creating visible pathways from junior player to senior athlete and coach.We also explore Southern Wolves’ success in developing female coaches and leaders, including actively inviting young women to step into coaching, pairing new coaches through a buddy system and surrounding them with support rather than waiting for them to put their hands up.Then we turn the spotlight on Shakira herself. From coaching her first team while still in Year 7 to working through the Basketball Tasmania pathway, Shakira is now a development coach with the Tasmania Jewels — a role she pursued even though it wasn’t originally advertised.Shakira talks candidly about self-doubt, putting yourself forward before you feel completely ready, learning from other women in coaching and her ambitions to continue progressing through Tasmania’s high-performance basketball pathway.In this episode:- Why confidence is so important for keeping girls in sport- Creating girls-only spaces where young players feel comfortable- The role of friendship and social connection in participation- Turning senior female athletes into the next generation of coaches- Why personally inviting women into leadership can make a difference- Shakira’s pathway from junior coach to the Tasmania Jewels- Overcoming fear of failure and backing your own strengths- What grassroots sport can learn from high-performance environmentsIf you believe in creating stronger pathways, healthier sporting environments and better opportunities for women and girls in sport, we'd love your support.Become a WSRT member: wsrt.org.au/membershipNew episodes every week.. be sure to subscribe and follow