Midnight basketball - help us get this great idea jumping!
Release Date: 18 February 2010
The phenomenon of Midnight Basketball will soon be coming to Armadale -=
and=20
you can discover more at a special information session hosted by the City =
of=20
Armadale on Wednesday 3 March.
Local community members are warmly invited to attend the 3.30pm to 5pm=
=20
session, or the 5.30pm to 7pm session, at Armadale Arena (corner Townley S=
treet=20
and Forrest Road, Armadale) and hear about this innovative program aimed a=
t the=20
region's young people.
Midnight Basketball is a successful, community-driven, nation-wide prog=
ram=20
combining sport and life skills workshops for kids aged 12 to 18.
Held on Saturday nights - traditionally a time when there are few servi=
ces=20
and activities available for youth - Midnight Basketball tournaments give =
teens=20
a fun, healthy outlet for their energy, followed by a safe bus trip home.<=
/P>
Armadale Mayor Linton Reynolds urged people to attend the Midnight Bask=
etball=20
information session and help the City and its partner agencies establish t=
he=20
program in Armadale.
"This is a fantastic initiative for our young people and it deserves ma=
ximum=20
support from the community," Cr Reynolds said.
"Initially, we want to let people know what Midnight Basketball involve=
s and=20
to seek out volunteers for a variety of roles, including basketball coache=
s and=20
referees, bus drivers and assistants and catering.
"The kids who join Midnight Basketball receive a healthy meal, play=20
basketball games and participate in age-targeted life skills workshops on =
topics=20
such as conflict resolution, communication skills, health and wellbeing, j=
ob=20
readiness, decision-making and problem solving etc.
"This is planned to take place from 7.30pm to about 11.30pm on Saturday=
=20
nights at the City's Armadale Arena.
"At the end of the evening, all of the basketballers are transported ho=
me, to=20
the door, by bus.
"Local young people who take part in Midnight Basketball can benefit in=
many=20
ways - physically, psychologically and educationally - from the opportunit=
ies=20
provided by this program.
"It keeps them safe and occupied on Saturday nights in a really positiv=
e=20
environment."
Midnight Basketball at Armadale Arena is due to commence on 8 May, 2010=
, with=20
three eight-week tournaments to be held this year.
The program is being conducted as a partnership between Midnight Basket=
ball=20
Australia, the City of Armadale, PCYC and the Office of Crime Prevention.<=
/P>
Armadale Arena, managed by the City, is supporting Midnight Basketball =
by=20
providing its indoor facilities free of charge on Saturday nights.
Corporate and community sponsors are also being sought for the Armadale=
=20
Midnight Basketball program.
For more information about the program or the information session on=20
Wednesday 3 March, contact the City of Armadale's Community Development=20
Coordinator on 9399 0630 or lholben@armadale.wa.gov.au<=
/P>
Ba=
ck=20
to top
Media Contact
Clare Hogarth-Angus
Communications Manager
Phone=
: (08)=20
9399 0634
Fax: (08) 9399 0184
Email: chogarth-angus@armadale.=
wa.gov.au