Genesis Project: Basketball and wellbeing making an impact across South Wales
Basketball Wales and Guardian Ballers are pleased to share the impact of the Genesis Project—a year-long initiative using basketball as a platform to support young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Delivered across South East Wales from April 2025 to March 2026, the launch phase created opportunities for young people aged 10–25 from global majority backgrounds and under-represented communities to take part in basketball, positive mental health education and leadership development.
The project supports Basketball Wales’ 2024–2030 strategic ambition for basketball to become widely recognised as the most socially inclusive and diverse sport in Wales.
The success of this work was recognised at the Welsh Sports Association Sports Industry Awards 2026, where Basketball Wales and Guardian Ballers won the Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Award for the Genesis Project. This national recognition celebrates the project’s work to remove barriers, reach under-represented and ethnically diverse communities, and use basketball to create meaningful improvements in young people’s wellbeing.
A strong first year
During the launch phase, the Genesis Project achieved:
- 389 participants
- 71% of participants from global majority ethnicities
- 14 different sessions delivered
- 66.5 hours of adult continuing professional development
- 27 adults equipped through leadership development
- 63 volunteer hours
- 54 adult stakeholders engaged
- 138 hours dedicated to stakeholder engagement
The programme combined mental health education with basketball coaching in schools, community centres, youth services and faith settings. It also included community camps, targeted school interventions, collaborative events and training for educators, students and youth workers.
Positive wellbeing outcomes
The evaluation combined participant feedback with the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, an internationally recognised measure of mental wellbeing. In total, 131 data-collection forms were completed, including 48 full wellbeing assessments.
Among those who completed the relevant starter, evaluation and wellbeing forms:
- 88% reported an improvement in their mental health
- 92% said they had begun to understand themselves better
- 94% wanted more sessions in the future
- 76% received mental health services for the first time
- 27% received Free School Meals or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision
These findings demonstrate the potential of basketball to open conversations, build confidence and help young people access support in an engaging and inclusive environment.
Reaching communities where they are
A central aim of Genesis was to take opportunities directly into communities that may not routinely engage with established club or performance pathways.
Delivery included work with schools and community groups in Cardiff and Gwent, including targeted interventions for referred pupils, youth and faith-setting takeovers, holiday activities and a collaborative event in Pill involving Guardian Ballers, Newport Fire Basketball Club and the People’s Prosperity Project.
Working with Cardiff Council’s city-wide youth services helped the programme reach young people through trusted evening provision. A Black History Month event at Butetown Pavilion also became a highlight of the year, while collaboration with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board introduced education about the health consequences of vaping.
Free participation, access to equipment and no requirement for specialist sports kit helped remove barriers and enabled more young people to take part.
Impact in schools
Targeted interventions were piloted in two secondary schools. Teachers reported that the structure, inclusivity and energy of the basketball activities created new levels of engagement—including girls choosing basketball over netball as an after-school activity.
School staff also observed that participating pupils became more willing to express their emotions. One teacher reported noticeable improvements in students’ attitudes, resilience and willingness to reflect.
The project also worked with Cardiff Metropolitan University to equip future practitioners. Students praised the engaging delivery and the way practical basketball activities made discussions about mental health meaningful, informative and inspiring.
Building a lasting legacy through leaders
Genesis was designed not only to support participants but also to multiply its impact by equipping the people who work with young people every day.
Through leader clinics, observation, practical modelling and informal coaching, youth workers, educators, volunteers and undergraduate students gained tools to connect physical activity with positive conversations about wellbeing.
This approach helps create a sustainable legacy by building confidence and knowledge within local organisations and communities.
A partnership with purpose
“We’re thrilled to partner with Guardian Ballers to explore the powerful connection between basketball and mental health. As a sport rooted in teamwork, communication and resilience, basketball offers a unique platform to support young people’s wellbeing both on and off the court.
“This partnership will help us embed positive mental health support into our culture and create safe spaces for young players to thrive.”
Gavin Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Basketball Wales
Kieran Joseph, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Ballers, described the project as a return home. A Welsh native and Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate, Kieran established Guardian Ballers after moving to the Midlands, where the organisation now reaches more than 2,000 young people each year.
Looking to the future
Guardian Ballers assessed the launch phase as a success, reflecting the trust and shared purpose established with Basketball Wales and supported by Sport Wales.
The long-term vision is to build on these foundations by:
- establishing local staff to deliver sustained interventions in under-reached communities;
- developing a diverse and sustainable mix of grant, donation, trading and commissioned funding;
- expanding knowledge and evidence around using sport to improve the wellbeing of young people; and
- exploring how the model could be extended into Mid and North Wales.
The Genesis Project has shown what can happen when basketball, wellbeing education and trusted community partnerships come together. Basketball Wales looks forward to working with Guardian Ballers and partners across Wales to build on this promising first year and help more young people move towards greater peace, purpose and opportunity.
