Bridging the gap II: A conversation with Lisa Koop
Jun 11
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HerForm
We spoke with German basketball player Lisa Koop about the specific barriers she faced during her long career and the importance of gender-specific support in addressing the systemic disparities between women and men in high-level sports.
Lisa Koop is a veteran of the German women’s national basketball team. Her journey started in Marburg, Germany, where she first discovered her passion for basketball. Growing up near a gym and having access to both first and second division teams at a young age allowed her to develop her skills early on, setting the foundation for a remarkable career.
Today, she stands as a legend of the German women’s national basketball team, representing her country on the international stage. Alongside her athletic achievements, Lisa has also balanced the demanding worlds of professional sports and academics, successfully completing master degrees in Psychology (University of Giessen), and Sport and Exercise Psychology (Northumbria University).
However, as impressive as her story sounds, it has not been without its share of struggles and setbacks. Like many female athletes, Lisa has faced significant barriers throughout her career. Limited resources and support, unfair compensation and lack of visibility have made her progress slow and difficult. Lisa made the following comment about the enduring gender gaps in sports:
“It’s akin to a 100-meter race where we start 10 meters behind men – it’s not fair. We haven’t had the same opportunities as them from the beginning. The past years have gotten much better, but it’s a shame it has taken so long to get there.”
While progress is being made, the fight for gender equality in sports is far from over. The German women’s national team recently reached the Olympics for the first time, and the WNBA is seeing record-breaking attendance – signs that things are changing for the better. Yet, as Lisa notes, the challenges remain:
“Even in 2024, the top basketball division in Germany is still managed by individuals who either don’t seem to care or lack knowledge about what’s truly important. It’s infuriating to witness them miss this opportunity for growth.”
Real change takes time, but with athletes like Lisa Koop speaking up, the momentum is building.
Adequate training facilities play a vital role in shaping an athlete’s progress, yet many female athletes face ongoing challenges in securing consistent, high-quality practice environments. Limited access often means compromised training routines and difficulty maintaining the intensity needed for peak performance. When athletes are forced to adapt to different venues or unsuitable conditions, it disrupts their focus and can hinder long-term development.
”Currently, my team practices on a hard school gym floor, which is tough on our joints and bodies. We rotate between four different gyms each week due to limited availability, often practicing as late as 8-10 p.m., which then negatively affects our sleep and recovery.”
Addressing this gap is essential – not just for individual success, but to raise the overall standard of women’s sports. Not because female athletes expect special treatment, but because they deserve the same opportunities as men.
Early investment is another crucial component of an athlete’s development, providing the foundation for long-term success. Yet even the most promising talents can struggle without it – a challenge Lisa faced in her own journey. Despite growing up near a top-division club, she didn’t receive regular individual training until she was 21, a missed opportunity for critical skill development.
“I often wonder what kind of level I could have reached if I had had access to that kind of support earlier.”
That’s why investing in young female athletes must be strategic and intentional from the earliest stages.
Despite performing at the highest levels and investing the same effort, dedication, and time as their male counterparts, women are not only paid significantly less, but also don’t receive the same conditions and opportunities. Commenting on this Lisa makes a critical point:
“It’s not even so much about equal pay but more importantly about equal play – access to facilities, more respect, good medical care. Honestly, it’s infuriating that things still aren’t better today.”
With this said she highlights that true equality means access to quality facilities, respectful treatment, and comprehensive support systems that allow female athletes to perform at their best.
While challenges remain, recent progress brings hope. With continued commitment, the future of women’s sports can finally reflect the talent and dedication female athletes bring to the game. This is exactly what the HerForm EU project strives for. By creating a dedicated personal development program for female athletes, the project seeks to address the challenges Lisa, and many others have faced. With a focus on understanding the personal skills needed for high-performance sport, amplifying athlete voices, and building tailored support systems, HerForm is laying the foundation for a brighter future.