Coach Ruth Eytle is both a coach and a mother. She grew up in Battersea, South West London, and was introduced to basketball while attending Greycoats School in Victoria. Her coach and PE teacher, Alina Golenberska, had played the game at a high level, and her experience and approach cultivated a competitive edge in Ruth, who had previously been more reserved. "I didn't have a natural aggression, but she was tough on me. Initially, I'd be upset, cry during most practices, but then I'd go on and score. It was a balance between being strict but also drawing me into the game and growing a love for it."

Ruth’s love for basketball developed significantly—she would go on to represent England at U16. Off the court, she began a career in the fashion industry before stepping into the most important role of her life: motherhood. Fueled by that role, she hustled for growth, grabbing opportunities like a loose ball in a tight game. She returned to education, earned a degree in Physical Education and Social Science, and gained coaching qualifications.

Motherhood meant that Ruth Eytle became Coach Ruth. Watching from the sidelines sparked her children RJ and Summer’s interest in the game, and she brought the same passion to coaching them that had been instilled in her. She started coaching RJ and his classmates at primary school, often bringing him along to her sessions across London. Some of RJ’s earliest memories involved training at nearby Kennington Park, where his mum ran drills, taught fundamentals, and laughed with him during fierce shooting competitions. 

The court itself sits proudly at the centre of the park, offering relief from the nearby commotion of the busy road between Oval and Kennington Stations. Uneven and unmarked, with classic gladiator-style metal rims as unforgiving as Coach Ruth’s zig-zag drills, the court’s imperfections were irrelevant. It was a safe space for RJ and Summer to develop their love and understanding of the game, to be immersed in their community, and for others to join in. For Coach Ruth, it was a place where she could nurture her children’s skills as a coach while also surrounding them with her warmth as a mother.

Motherhood, of course, extended far beyond basketball. RJ developed a natural love for the sport, backed by a mother who believed in his potential. His journey began in the CBL Development League at age nine. He represented Lambeth in the London Youth Games, where he was coached by the great Jimmy Rogers. He played at Greenhouse Sports, then moved on to Barking Abbey before earning a spot at a high school in the U.S. with the goal of playing NCAA Division 1 basketball. 

After a year, RJ achieved that goal, joining UMBC, where he spent three years—but the journey came with challenges. A first-year injury sidelined him early in his U.S. journey, a setback that might have discouraged others. But Coach Ruth was always just a phone call away, reminding him that injuries are part of an athlete’s life. And, of course, mum was always there too—offering the reassurance and support an 18-year-old in a different part of the world needed.

RJ ultimately spent six years in the U.S., building the resilience and resolve that had been instilled in him since boyhood—not just through coaching, but in a way that only a mother could: with love. What he continues to achieve goes beyond success in sport; he serves as an inspiration not only for young boys growing up in tough parts of London but also for parents who fear for their children’s futures. As Coach Ruth puts it: "Being a young Black man in South London means you always have to stay on the path to do something. Even if it's not basketball—find something you’re interested in; there are opportunities out there—you just have to look."

"Basketball has allowed RJ to get a degree and an education, but the journey hasn’t been without sacrifice. Unfortunately, some of the friends he grew up with are no longer with us. It’s a sad and horrible reality that the streets aren’t always safe. It’s about finding an activity that you enjoy doing, that keeps you motivated to want more, to do more, find that resilience… and take every opportunity you can. 

"I'm a proud mum, but we also need to be humble and recognise that not everyone gets this opportunity." Both Coach Ruth and RJ’s basketball journeys are far from over. RJ now represents Team GB as well as the Cheshire Phoenix, while Coach Ruth continues to coach, play, and bring her contagious energy to the game—impacting all those she crosses paths with, both domestically and internationally.