MIDNIGHT Basketball is coming to Albury but organ=
isers=20
need sponsors to ensure it stays.
The first tournament will kick off on February 26 and runs for eight=20
consecutive Friday nights.
A second will be held later this year, dependent on funding.
Organising committee chairman Rod Bramich said each tournament cost $25=
,000=20
and while the first one was =E2=80=9Cnearly=E2=80=9D covered, funds were s=
hort for the future.
=E2=80=9CMidnight Basketball Australia requires that we hold two tourna=
ments a year=20
so we need more sponsors, and even volunteers who will be able to help out=
,=E2=80=9D Mr=20
Bramich said.
=E2=80=9CWe really need the support of a cross-section of the community=
to guarantee=20
its future.=E2=80=9D
So far, the Commercial Club Albury, Albury Council, the Combined Rotary=
Clubs=20
of Albury and Lavington and Albury PCYC have come on board.
The Midnight Basketball concept started in Sydney=E2=80=99s Redfern in =
2006 and is=20
designed for teenagers as an alternative to late-night anti-social and cri=
minal=20
behaviour.
Participants receive an educational workshop as well as a free dinner b=
efore=20
play, from 7pm.
The tournaments run from 9pm to midnight with all players and their fam=
ilies=20
being transported to and from their homes by a bus, which will be supplied=
by=20
Kalianna Enterprises.
=E2=80=9CHopefully it may create an interest in sport in general for so=
me at-risk=20
youths in our community,=E2=80=9D Mr Bramich said.
=E2=80=9CIt seems to work not only because the kids aren=E2=80=99t on t=
he streets but also=20
because of the things they learn in these life skills workshops.
=E2=80=9CAt Redfern they did everything from bongo drum lessons to hear=
ing speeches=20
from famous athletes who=E2=80=99d turned their lives around after getting=
into trouble=20
as youngsters.=E2=80=9D
The tournament is open to youths 12 to 18 who live within the 2640 and =
2641=20
postcodes.
The first tournament will feature six teams of 10.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or sponsor the event can contact Mr Bramich=
on=20
0419 617 906 or email albury@midnightbasketball.org.au.=20
For teenagers looking to join a team, call the PCYC on (02) 6021 7437.=
=20