Pat Connaughton Foundation Celebrates Completion of First International #ConnaughtonCourt in Rwanda, East Africa, in Partnership with Shooting Touch
For Immediate Release
October 10th, 2024 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pat Connaughton Foundation is proud to announce the completion of its first-ever #ConnaughtonCourt outside of the United States, located in Rukara Sector, Rwanda, East Africa. Built in partnership with Shooting Touch Rwanda, this court represents a major milestone as the Foundation continues to expand its global reach, following three successful Clinics in Ireland last summer. The Pat Connaughton Foundation is thrilled to be a global organization, committed to making an impact through sports both locally and abroad.
The partnership with Shooting Touch Rwanda brings the power of basketball to the forefront as a means to unite communities and create life-changing opportunities. Shooting Touch's innovative sport-for-development programs help uplift youth and women in rural Rwanda by providing access to health services and educational resources, which aligns with the Pat Connaughton Foundation’s vision of transforming lives through the game of basketball. The new court, completed in August 2024, is already being utilized by nearly 1,000 boys, girls, and women every week.
"We are extremely excited to partner with Shooting Touch to build our first Connaughton Court outside of America," said NBA Champion Pat Connaughton. "This project is a great representation of our commitment to create access to athletics for the next generation of student athletes worldwide. My foundation is proud to help enhance the incredible work that is already being done in Rwanda. Basketball is a universal language that can positively impact change while inspiring the next generation to dream big, and we’re honored to be a part of it."
In addition to being a platform for sports, the new court will serve as the home base for Shooting Touch's holistic programs, which address crucial issues related to public health, gender equality, and economic mobility.
"Building a basketball court with Shooting Touch isn't just about creating a space for sport—it's about giving an entire community access to something much bigger,” said Liza Gallagher, Executive Director of Shooting Touch. “Thanks to the incredible support of the Pat Connaughton Foundation, thousands of youth and women in Rwanda will now have a safe place to play, learn, and grow. By combining the love of the game with vital education and services, this partnership is creating lasting change that will impact generations to come.”
The completion of the court in Rukara Sector highlights the Pat Connaughton Foundation’s growing presence around the world and its unwavering dedication to using sports as a tool for positive change. With 12 courts completed and five more underway, the Foundation continues to create spaces that foster growth, education, and community.
About the Pat Connaughton Foundation
The Pat Connaughton Foundation was founded in 2016 with the mission of creating access to athletics for the next generation of student athletes through Courts, Clinics, and Character. The PCF focuses on teaching them the translatable life skills sports instill, including hard work, teamwork, leadership, accountability, and discipline. During the last 8 years the PCF has hosted 27 clinics, completed 13 Courts with 12 Schools/Organizations, and impacted over 25,300 youth student-athletes. For more information, visit www.patconnaughtonfoundation.org.
About Shooting Touch
Shooting Touch is an international sport-for-development organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to use the mobilizing power of basketball to bridge health and opportunity gaps for youth and women facing racial, gender, and economic inequalities.Since launching Shooting Touch Rwanda (STR) in 2012, Shooting Touch has continued to expand its reach in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, now operating programs in six sectors within the Districts of Kayonza and Bugesera. STR focuses on providing access to basketball for youth and women, while working to improve public health and gender equality in rural communities. To learn more about Shooting Touch Rwanda or to learn how to get involved, visit www.shootingtouch.com.
For Pat Connaughton Foundation media inquiries, please contact:
Devin Grainger - PCF Director of Marketing & Community Engagement
(414) 403-0251
devin@patconnaughton.com
For Shooting Touch media and partnership inquiries, please contact:
Sam Waterstone - Shooting Touch Director of Communications
+250 791 346 518 (Rwanda + WhatsApp)
+1 415 686 8402 (US)