Our story
THE TEAM
The 11 Bxl started with basketball, friendship, and a slightly crazy (but much-needed) idea: to create the place we wished existed as women's sports fans — Belgium's first sports bar dedicated to women's sports.
It all started on a basketball court
Maéva and Juliana met in Brussels through an informal basketball group bringing together women from all over the world every Friday.
Between games, practices and post-match conversations, they realised they shared more than a love for basketball. They were both passionate about women's sports and kept running into the same problem:
Where do you go to watch a women's game? Where can you experience women's sport with the atmosphere, excitement and community it deserves?
Too often, the answer was: nowhere.
So instead of continuing to look for that place, they decided to create it.
That's how The 11 Bxl was born: a space where women's sports are always on, where fans can come together, and where watching sport can also inspire you to get involved — whether that means finding your next sports club, joining a community, getting back into a sport you love, or trying something completely new.
The team
Meet the founders
Maéva
Basketball player, former triathlete and passionate women's football fan, Maéva has been surrounded by sport for as long as she can remember. When she's not on a basketball court, you might find her on her motorbike, grabbing a beer with her closest friends or planning her next adventure. An offshore engineer by day, she brings her practical, hands-on mindset to The 11 along with a firm belief that women's sport deserves much more space and visibility.
Off court: managing engineering projects, riding motorbikes & supporting Arsenal.
Juliana
Colombia-raised and Brussels-rooted, Juliana has a hard time imagining life without sport. Basketball and tennis have been longtime favourites, but she's equally happy exploring Brussels by bike or discovering a new sport — bouldering is the latest addition to the list. As an urbanist, her passion for sport, cities and bringing people together is at the heart of The 11. She dreams of creating the kind of place where you come for a game and end up discovering a whole new community.
Off court: researching sustainable mobility, advocating for more inclusive cities & learning to play the drums.
it takes a team
The 11 may have started as an idea between the two of us, but bringing it to life has been a real team effort.
From the beginning, people have generously shared their time, skills and creativity to help turn an idea into something real.
Isabell & Cécile — Communications & Strategy
Marie & Valeria — Graphic Design & Visual Identity
Laura — Web Development
Muriel — Technical support
Emily — Project Support & Beer Advisor
Clara — Events & Logistics
Linn & Ines — Event Photography
And the team goes well beyond these names. Through our community survey, so many people reached out not only to tell us they wanted a place like The 11, but also to offer their time and skills to help make it happen.
To everyone who has offered their time, ideas, skills, contacts or support: thank you. The 11 is being built with you, not just for you.
Interview
Listen to Maéva and Juliana talk about the project
On Bruzz Radio