Our Women Lead...Our Girls Follow!
Team S.W.I.S.H. Basketball Club is a 501c3 non-profit organization, developed to give girls an opportunity to improve their “on the court” skills while at the same time learning “off the court” life lessons. Team S.W.I.S.H. is a competitive AAU club with basketball teams formed as an extension of the S.W.I.S.H. player development program.
Coach Jada Jordan started S.W.I.S.H. in 2010 as a way to train her varsity athletes and increase gym time for other players that she worked with. One of the main issues she faced as a rookie head coach was the fact that female “gym rats” didn’t exist. No one was staying after practice, coming early or playing pick-up ball in the summer unless it was a scheduled practice. "Coach J" knew that the mentality of showing up and playing ball solely during the season or only when you had to, while taking the rest of the time completely off, does not produce results.
Although basic fundamental skills are a crucial foundation to developing a complete player, "Coach J" realized as a head coach that there just isn't sufficient time to focus on those skills during team practices in the regular season. She fully believes in the slogan on the back of S.W.I.S.H. t-shirts “there is no such thing as the off-season”. Those participating in S.W.I.S.H. trainings are taught all the fundamentals of basketball including passing, dribbling, ball handling and shooting. Players also work on speed and agility drills used by elite athletes to improve one on one offensive moves and defensive quickness.
Because Coach J’s early experiences as a coach were filled with coaching players who were not always the best athletes, teaching and developing their fundamentals was imperative in order to succeed. That same mindset will be the foundation for S.W.I.S.H. teams. "Coach J" knows what happens when you put in the work to develop your weaknesses. She has seen a team go from not winning many games at all to repeated trips to region championships, state tournament runs and regular all-region team selections.
After being persuaded to help coach an 8th grade AAU team for a couple of summers, "Coach J" got to witness first-hand the good, the bad and the ugly of the AAU experience for some parents and players. Having been a product of very good AAU teams in high school, "Coach J" remembers loving to play the game with individuals that she considers good friends to this day. They still talk about some of the things they did on road trips and the moments they shared as young players. She also remembers some not so fond moments filled with sketchy coaches, parent politics and things that muddied the game she loved that had nothing to do with basketball.
Until 2012, Coach J had no desire to be involved with AAU but when given the opportunity, felt compelled to help a very special group of young ladies. That same group ended up winning the YBOA National tournament that year. This experience lit a fire to get more involved and try to balance out the negative things that plague girl’s sports with a program that is a positive experience for all. One that gives coaches an opportunity to mentor and make a difference while teaching lessons about the game of life as well as basketball. One that gives parents an experience that is fair across the board, affordable and a good fit for their daughter. Lastly, one that gives athletes a chance to make memories, become a better basketball player, a better teammate and a better person in the process.
If you’re looking for a competitive team that focuses on developing athletes by teaching individual fundamental skills, Team S.W.I.S.H. is for you! We are one of Georgia’s only AAU/YBOA teams with 100% female head coaches. We’re not only experienced coaches who know basketball, but we’re mentors who know how to teach girls to become young ladies, that will become successful women!