🏀 A Historic First: P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Girls Basketball Travel Team Set to Make International Debut 🇯🇲

This summer marks a historic moment in Jamaican sports: for the first time ever, a girls youth club basketball team from Jamaica will travel to the United States to compete on the international stage and their powerful journey will be documented by acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Laurie Townshend. Powered by P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Jamaica and organized by Global Director Wayne Dawkins, this pioneering group of young women will represent the island at the MADE Hoops Girls Nationals, one of the most prestigious youth basketball circuits in North America, taking place August 1–4, 2025 in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Adding to this historic milestone is the incredible support of Shay Colley, Canadian Olympian and professional basketball player, who will mentor and train with the girls before they depart. These young women aren’t just making history, they’re blazing a trail for every girl in Jamaica who dreams of playing the game at the highest level. Their journey is more than a tournament. It’s a movement.

🔥 The Program

To prepare for this monumental opportunity, the team will train in Jamaica under the expert guidance of Coaches Mike Kirlew and Kurt Stewart, with sessions held at the UWI Bowl in Kingston.

Adding to the excitement, Shay Colley will fly in to mentor and inspire the girls during their sessions on Sunday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 30.

On Friday, August 1, the team will fly from Montego Bay to Baltimore, where they’ll be greeted by P.H.A.S.E. 1 Global Director Wayne Dawkins. That evening, they’ll hold their final tune-up practice at ACCE Public Charter School with Head Coach Kortnie Smith, the school's Athletic Director and one of P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy's rising stars in youth basketball coaching.

Then comes the big moment: two days of elite-level competition at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex against girls teams from across North America.

They return to Jamaica on Monday, August 4, forever changed and fully empowered.

🎬 Documentary in the Making

This powerful journey is being documented by Laurie Townshend, who will chronicle the story of these pioneering girls. The film will explore what it means to be a young female athlete in Jamaica, the barriers they face, and how this international trip is helping redefine what's possible for girls in sport across the Caribbean.

🌍 Why It Matters

This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about representation, empowerment, and equity. While boys teams from Jamaica have competed internationally before, this is the first time a girls team will do so—and it couldn’t come at a more important time.

The trip opens doors to scholarships, exposure, mentorship, and a new sense of belief for the players. It also raises the profile of girls’ basketball in Jamaica, helping to pave the way for future support, infrastructure, and investment.

📞 Want to Support?

This journey is only possible because of the community that believes in it. If you'd like to support this trailblazing team, you can help with donations toward travel, equipment, meals, or training support.

Contact us:

• Wayne Dawkins – (480) 235-9954 | wdawkins@phase1global.com

• Laurie Townshend – (416) 272-2064

Or visit: 🌐 www.phase1academy.com

💬 Final Word

This is more than a trip—it’s a defining chapter in the story of Jamaican basketball. As these girls step onto the court, they’ll be carrying the hopes of a nation and the promise of a future where every girl in Jamaica has a shot to shine.

Let’s cheer them on. Let’s support them. Let’s help them make history.