Las Leonas & The Masculine

Las Leonas - porlosclubes.com.ar

I’ve talked before about how athletic women are portrayed in the media. I still feel that society (especially Argentine society) shies away from portraying women as aggressive, powerful, or masculine. And, if they do, it is sugar coated with some sort of femininity.

Looking Ahead

On Sunday night I went to Devoto court sometime around 5pm. The day was slightly humid and overcast so, technically, good ball weather. However, when I arrived the court was empty, except for one shirtless guy. We shot around, patiently waiting for others to show up and commented on how strange it was that no one was there.

After a little bit, two kids came up to the court. After watching me shoot a couple in, one of them directed himself to me.

Homecourt

Polideportivo court of Devoto: my home-court in Buenos Aires. A polideportive is a collection of outdoor courts: tennis, soccer, volleyball, and in this case, a slightly unkempt basketball court enclosed by a high fence. In the summer, you can feel the temperature rise from the heat trapped in the asphalt as you walk through the gates. On the sides, palm trees stand tall and patches of grass line the long block that makes up this poli.

I consider this my home-court because it was the first basketball court I stepped on when I came to Buenos Aires. I remember discovering it from the terraza of my cousin’s house, at the time a block away. I hadn’t played basketball in months and seeing the bodies moving around the court from afar stirred excitement in me. Now, after more then a year, I have memorized all of the cracks on the court and know where the sun is going to hit the court, depending on the season.