Aiming high on and off court

WITH a motto of “No Workshop, No Jumpshot”, Midnight Basketball aims to teach life skills to young people in the north.

The new sport and education program, run by the Salisbury Midnight Basketball Committee, will offer an eight-week tournament for 12-to-18 year olds.

The Adelaide 36ers will be attending the first game this Saturday, July 24 at The Gardens Recreation Centre, Parafield Gardens, to help organise the teams.

Before they can play, however, the youths must attend nightly life skills workshops where volunteers will teach them about teen-related issues, such as how to resolve conflicts and the value of good nutrition.

Krystal-Lee Robbins, 22, of Salisbury Downs, will train with the youths and help them to improve their basketball skills.

“I want to help them improve themselves and know that there’s something better out there,” she says. Ms Robbins says school bullying is a big issue for youths in her community, and Midnight Basketball could serve as a sanctuary for young people in crisis.

“When they’re here together at basketball, all those cliques just fade away and they’re just here for the sport.”

Yen-Nhi Nguyen, 14, of Salisbury Downs, is eager to learn the game.

“I can play a lot of other sports, but I’ve never played basketball before,” she says. The workshops are just as important to her. “I want to learn to make the right choices and do stuff that’s good for me.”

Dale Latham, 13, of Modbury Heights, is looking forward to improving his communication skills.

“I want to be able to sort things out and not get into arguments.”

Salisbury Council’s sports development officer Paul Zimny hopes up to 60 young people will take part in Midnight Basketball.

To join the program as a participant or volunteer, contact Mr Zimny on 8406 8366.