Embodying ‘This Girl Can’, both Rebecca Miller and Jessica De La Rosa are outstanding female athletes dedicated to their sport and team. I had the pleasure of interviewing them, jumping into what it means to be a woman in sport at Greenwich, specifically Basketball.

Meet the players

Name: Rebecca Miller

Age: 22

Degree course: Pharmacy

Campus: Medway

Hometown: South East London

Position: Power Forward or Small Forward

Name: Jessica Andreina De La Rosa Perez

Age: 26

Degree course: Accounting and Business Analytics

Campus: Greenwich

Hometown: Venezuela/ Canary Islands

Position: Point Guard

Sport and Early Life

Sport has been a consistent thread through both Rebecca and Jessica’s lives, yet their journeys to love Basketball took very different routes.

For Rebecca, sports have always been a family affair, influenced by her parents who she called ‘the most competitive and the most sporty people ever, but in such a good way’ her Mother doing athletics, netball and ‘a bit of basketball’, her Father doing football and Athletics. Being the youngest of three, Rebecca’s childhood was filled with lots of sport, including Football and Taekwondo who she joined her brother in, and ballet, alongside her sister, even starring in the West End production of Billy Elliot in year six. However, Rebecca only started playing basketball in secondary school, where she also did athletics including high jump, her competitive journey only beginning at the start of university.

For Jessica, her love of Basketball has been a longer affair, beginning to play at the age of 8. She did too, however, grow up involved in a plethora of sports including Swimming, Water polo, Football and Gymnastics, yet Basketball stuck strong. She joked about how her dedication for the sport actually started with her father saying, ‘if you play basketball, 100%, you're going to grow taller’, Jessica being a short kid. Fully dedicated to the sport at 9, with the false promise of growth, Jessica’s basketball journey moved between Venezuela and the Canary Islands each scene drastically differing.

Beginning her Basketball journey in Spain, Jessica blossomed playing amongst other successful teams, even living on a small island, the sport thrived. Yet, with her move to Venezuela at 12, her relationship to the sport took a turn. The lack of local and woman’s specific teams, having to play on a men’s team, as well as the harsh gendered social perception of Basketball as a ‘men’s sport’ and the lack of national engagement being from a smaller town, led Jessica to remove herself from the competitive side of the sport. Jessica later moved back to Spain where she fell back in love with the sport, rejoining a team with the opportunity to progress competitively, playing around Spain. Being on this team got Jessica scouted to play in the UK on a scholarship, Jessica acknowledging ‘I feel like basketball opened my doors to new places’ including her academic and athletic journey at Greenwich.

Sport and University

For Rebecca, her love for Basketball was something that blossomed when joining Greenwich, paving her own space when there wasn’t one. Being based in Medway, she initially played Netball, in the absence of a Basketball Team. Her sporty background, with having cousins who play Basketball and a keen interest in the sport, led her to establish a Medway Team alongside two friends. This very team has grown and improved to win the season.

In Jessica’s case, Basketball has been a consistent thread throughout her university experience, initially moving to the UK to play. She previously attended New Buckinghamshire on a sport scholarship studying Sport Therapy, now pivoting to Accounting and Business analytics here at Greenwich. Despite the shift, one thing remained steadfast – Basketball.

Basketball and Greenwich

The small yet mighty community at Medway has massively shaped Rebecca’s time at Greenwich. She admits, “Playing, to be honest, has been the best part of my uni experience” accounting this to her team and her support system, which she says, “is very much like a family”. Being a small yet inclusive campus, Rebecca highlighted how the mix of all three universities has made the team and campus what it is; feeling like a “huge family” where each sport supports one another.

Jessica also commented on this feeling of community at the Greenwich campus, saying “we are all connected” each sports team supporting one another on and off the pitch. Jessica also highlighted how brilliant our GSU Sports Team are at cultivating Sport on campus through major events like Varsity as well as appreciating and uplifting athletes. Sport on campus was seen as not only competitive, but a place to connect with others, have fun, “protect your mental health” and win whenever possible.

For the love of Sport

For both women, Basketball continues to be a source of community and a space to grow and decompress. I asked both athletes why they specifically love Basketball, what it means to them and ultimately what it adds to their life.

From an athletic standpoint, playing within a team at Greenwich has helped Rebecca improve, through constant observation and consistent conversation with peers on how to mutually support each other to perform their best. Even from a young age, Rebecca accredited sport as assisting her academically to remain dedicated, sport being a structured activity to look forward to. This has continued into university life, pushing her finish her studies to be able to enjoy Basketball. Personally, Basketball has allowed Rebecca to break out of her shell, a naturally shy personality, she professes that Basketball, and the community it has provided, has facilitated so many relationships she otherwise wouldn’t have. These close connections have helped her deal with her natural tendency towards perfectionism, encouraging her in her academic and sporting success.

Jessica laments “I love basketball in so many ways” reflecting how in her break, because of injury, has affirmed her dedication and admiration for the sport. She too feels a similar effect that this sport has had on her life, especially the way in which sport allows a release from academic and personal stress. Both echoed a specific intention and dedication that Basketball has allowed them to have, sport teaching them the discipline to thrive at university and on the court. It is clear that Basketball has been a long-term love for Jessica and continues to be a central part of her life, regardless of current injury.

Final Thoughts…

I loved interviewing both of these amazing women, and I hope you too enjoyed listening to their stories.

Rebecca’s trailblazing team are a reflection of her dedication and passion for her sport. She is a leader others should aspire to be, leading with humility and community at heart. Her impact at Medway is monumental and deserves huge recognition and celebration.

Jessica’s genuine passion for Basketball is something that is tangible. Her willingness to share her story and how the sport she loves has transformed her life is truly inspiring. Jessica is clearly an integral member of Greenwich’s community, driven by a want to succeed and to support others in doing such.

I would encourage you to look into any sports you’re interested in and become a part of a bigger community on campus. Sports are for everyone, regardless of ability, age, size and most importantly gender.