A Life on the Court: Salome Garcia’s Basketball Journey
Salome Garcia, a seasoned shooting guard for Unicaja’s women’s basketball team, has dedicated the past 12 years to her passion. Her journey began at the esteemed Ros Casares academy when she was just 16. During her two years there, she occasionally joined the senior team, sharing the court with basketball legends like Amaya Valdemoro and Laia Palau.
Garcia’s professional career took flight with the Galician team Villagarcía de arousa, were she spent nine years competing in Liga Femenina 1 and Liga Femenina 2. After her time in Galicia, she played a season in Barcelona during the pandemic, before landing in Malaga the following year. Now in her second season with Unicaja, Garcia has established herself as a reliable and hardworking player.
Approaching her 30th birthday, Garcia envisions a future where she continues to play basketball provided that her body allows.However, she acknowledges the reality that professional basketball careers are finite.
“We dedicate ourselves to basketball almost out of pure love for the sport as we certainly know it won’t sustain us financially in the long term,” Garcia admits.
The financial instability faced by many female basketball players is a harsh reality. As garcia explains, “When the season ends, a period of uncertainty begins.We are essentially unpaid for four months.”
This financial gap forces many players, including Garcia, to seek temporary employment during the off-season.
“finding a job can be challenging,” she shares. “Despite having a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, my experience is primarily limited to basketball.I also need to maintain my physical fitness during the summer to prepare for the next season.”
Garcia acknowledges the efforts made by clubs like Unicaja to support their players, highlighting the recent acquisition of a new sponsor. however,she believes the root of the problem lies in the lack of financial independence for women’s basketball teams,leading to precarious conditions for the athletes.
Recognizing the need for stability, Garcia is pursuing a career as a National Police officer. “It’s crucial to have a backup plan,” she emphasizes. “you never know when your basketball career might end. The uncertainty at the end of each season can be stressful. As the years go by, you naturally seek greater stability and the possibility of staying in one place.”
The Court and Beyond: an Interview with Salome Garcia
Today we have the astounding Salome Garcia, shooting guard for Unicaja’s women’s basketball team, joining us to discuss her inspiring journey through the world of professional basketball. Salome, thank you for being here.
Salome Garcia: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Moderator: You’ve dedicated over a decade to your craft, starting back at the prestigious Ros Casares academy. That must have been an incredible experience, sharing the court with legendary players like Amaya Valdemoro and Laia Palau.
Salome Garcia: Absolutely. It was a dream come true. Training alongside such accomplished athletes, learning from the best, shaping my game – it was invaluable.
Moderator: And your journey has taken you across Spain, from Villagarcía de Arousa to Barcelona and now Malaga with Unicaja. What keeps you driven after all these years?
Salome Garcia: The love of the game, undoubtedly. Basketball is more then just a sport; it’s a passion. Every time I step onto the court,I feel truly alive.
Moderator: You mentioned the passion, which is undeniable in your play. However, you’ve also spoken candidly about the financial realities facing female basketball players, specifically the lack of financial stability and the difficulty in securing employment during the off-season. This is a prevalent issue, and I wanted to dissect it further. You mentioned a four-month period without pay. That’s a significant time to be without a steady income, especially when factoring in training and maintaining your physical condition.
Salome Garcia: It can be very challenging.We dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our sport, but the financial realities can be quite harsh. It’s tough to juggle training, job searches, and trying to secure a stable future.
Moderator: You’ve chosen to pursue a career as a National Police Officer, which is admirable. Do you see this as a safeguard against the inherent uncertainty of a basketball career?
Salome Garcia: Precisely. Having a backup plan provides peace of mind. It offers stability and the possibility of a long-term future, somthing that can be difficult to guarantee in professional sports.
Moderator: Certainly a wise decision. Unicaja recently secured a new sponsor, which is a positive step. But do you believe systemic change is needed to truly address the financial disparities in women’s basketball?
Salome Garcia: Yes,absolutely. We need greater financial independence for women’s basketball teams. This woudl create better conditions for the athletes,allowing them to focus on their sport without the added stress of financial insecurity.
moderator: This is a critical conversation that deserves wider attention.Salome, thank you for sharing your insights and opening up about these important issues.
Readers, what are your thoughts? What can be done to support female athletes and create a more enduring future for women’s basketball? Share your comments below, let’s keep the conversation going!
