MIES (Switzerland) - The first-ever Encyclopedia of European Women’s Club Competitions has been published and launched at the prestigious EuroLeague Women Awards last month in Zaragoza, Spain.
An integral part of the maiden EuroLeague Women Final Six, the showpiece awards ceremony on April 12 at Caja Rural proved to be the perfect launchpad for the encyclopedia.
Presented to the attendees, including some of the best female players on the planet, several of the ballers present chose to make it an even more memorable experience by signing copies of the new publication.
A must-have for all basketball historians, fans, National Federations, clubs, media, players and coaches, the encyclopedia offers an invaluable source of data and information about the rich and varied history of European Women's club competitions.
Produced by the FIBA Foundation, the publication shines a light on the dedication and tireless work of the Foundation in meeting its overarching mission to preserve and promote the sport's heritage worldwide.
The encyclopedia pays tribute to the tremendous contributions of the players, coaches and clubs, who have shaped the prestigious history of Women's European Club Competitions for decades.
It contains data on competitions stretching back to 1958 and currently contains information on a staggering 13,994 players, 1376 coaches, and 600 clubs. It will be continually maintained and updated during future years.
The launch of the encyclopedia also comes at a time when women's basketball is experiencing unprecedented global growth, with EuroLeague Women central to a relentless rise in popularity. Something celebrated by record-breaking fan engagement, which still shows no signs of slowing down.
Boosted by recent decisions taken by the FIBA Europe Board to continuously upgrade the competition, including the introduction of the Final Six format, this has also been underpinned by FIBA's strategic priority 'Women in Basketball' - a key driver for the game's growth worldwide.
The Encyclopedia of European Women’s Club Competitions is available online and is also in the renowned Pedro Ferrandiz Library at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.