JUMP shots, dribbling and life skills will be on =
the=20
agenda tonight as Albury hosts its first session of Midnight Basketball.
Almost six months has passed since the idea was floated to hold night=20
basketball games and life skill workshops designed for teenagers as an=20
alternative to late-night anti-social and criminal behaviour.
The concept started in Redfern in 2006 and has since spread to 53 commu=
nities=20
across the country.
Already 45 young people aged between 12 and 18 have signed up, includin=
g=20
Albury=E2=80=99s Amber Thomas, 12.
=E2=80=9CI am looking forward to learning how to play basketball; I hav=
e never played=20
before,=E2=80=9D she said.
But it is not all about the game; participants will also learn life ski=
lls=20
such as working in a team and finding a job.
PCYC tournament manager Shannon Reynolds was excited the day had finall=
y=20
arrived.
=E2=80=9CWe have about 45 people signed up but we have room for more,=
=E2=80=9D she said.
=E2=80=9CThe parents are very supportive of this idea, they say it=E2=
=80=99s great their kids=20
will have something productive to do on Friday nights.=E2=80=9D
The eight-week tournament will be held at the Albury Sports Stadium and=
=20
Albury PCYC on Friday nights.
Organisers have issued pleas for volunteers to help out on each competi=
tion=20
night.
At least 20 volunteers are needed each week for the competitions starti=
ng at=20
7.30pm and finishing around 11.30pm.
Participants are returned to their house by a bus around midnight.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or sponsor the event can phone Rod Bramich =
on=20
0419 617 906.