ETC Cares Empowers the Next Generation of Female Athletes at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden has a way of making the big city feel personal. For one December afternoon, it became a place where young female athletes could look down at the court and see women taking up space and being celebrated for it.
Through ETC Cares, Event Tickets Center partnered with New Heights Youth, Inc., a New York City nonprofit that uses basketball and academic support to help girls and young people grow on and off the court. We invited New Heights girls and their families to experience the Harlem Globetrotters at the Garden, not just to watch the show, but to feel what it is like when representation is big, loud, and right in front of you.
Creating Moments of Representation with the Harlem Globetrotters
Representation takes on a different form when it is live. At the MSG-based kickoff of the Harlem Globetrotters’ 100 Year Tour, the Trotters leaned into that message with an all-women’s third quarter, plus other once-only elements built for the 100 Year Tour celebration.
ETC Cares supported this night by helping remove a barrier to access. For the families who joined us, Harlem Globetrotters tickets were an invitation for young athletes to watch women own the court, feel the energy of the arena, and leave with a story they can carry into practice, school, and the rest of the season.
More Than a Game: The Lasting Impact of Sports on Young Women
Sports can be a training ground for confidence, resilience, and community. The Women’s Sports Foundation notes that girls and women who play sports report higher confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression than those who do not.
That is why nights like this matter. They reinforce the message New Heights builds every day: young women deserve opportunities, coaching, and visible role models. They deserve environments that tell them, clearly, you belong here.
In Their Own Words: From the All-Women Quarter to the Magic of the Garden
For families who follow Madison Square Garden events from afar, “The Garden” can feel like a world away. This night made it tangible. The girls watched the centennial show, saw the all-women’s third quarter, and experienced how powerful it feels when a venue that iconic makes space for women’s visibility in sports.
Lily McIver, 5th grade, said: “My favorite part of the game was the all-women quarter. It was ... grown over time into something that’s co-ed and includes women.” Meanwhile, fellow fifth grader Vivienne Dimas said: “It was really cool how it was a basketball game but also a per ... and throwing awesome passes in so many different directions.”
Be the Change
ETC Cares is about showing up with intention, alongside local organizations already doing the steady work. New Heights Youth, Inc. uses basketball as a doorway to broader support, from academics to social-emotional development, so young people can grow on and off the court. In that same spirit, ETC’s broader partnership with the Harlem Globetrotters’ 100 Year Tour gave us another way to support moments that put visibility and possibility right in front of young athletes.
Angela Braga said, “When young female athletes see women competing on the court, it... and instill a belief in their ability to achieve greatness.” Abby Croell added, “The Globetrotters brought such joy and energy to the meet-and-greet, creating an unforgettable experience. Interacting with the team and witnessing their talent live turns excitement into confidence that inspires young athletes to pursue their dreams.” That is what we hope these nights create: a shared experience that feels joyful in the moment, then keeps echoing back at practice, at school, and whenever a girl needs a reminder that she belongs in big spaces.
