Freya Najade’s personal series captures local basketball players in Hackney Downs.

At the basketball court in Hackney Downs, everyone is welcome. Teams are formed spontaneously, with young players competing alongside each other, exchanging advice, encouragement and jokes.

What draws Freya to these scenes is their informality and the sense of community that develops without any formal structure. There are no coaches, no set schedules and no institutions behind them. The players organise themselves, relying on whoever happens to show up that day. Disagreements are settled through conversation or laughter.

Freya focuses on the interactions between the players, the energy and competitiveness of the games, and the friendships and sense of belonging that develop through playing together, shared effort and physical connection.