City of Swan
Media Release
New Season Of Midnight Basketball Assists At-Risk Teens
As part of its continued commitment to ensuring the safety and security=
of=20
its residents, the City of Swan has launched its new season of Midnight=20
Basketball.
The Midland Midnight Basketball Program is a unique and proactive sport=
ing=20
tournament aimed at involving the City's young 'at risk' population.
The program is a joint initiative involving the Office of Crime Prevent=
ion,=20
WA Police, Midland Police and Citizens Youth Club, and the City of Swan, a=
nd=20
receives continued support from the Department of Sport and Recreation.
Children aged from 12 to 18 who are known to the police find themselves=
=20
getting caught up in the wrong crowd, can take part in the program, which =
is now=20
entering into its second season.
City of Swan Mayor, Charlie Zannino, said the program's participants mu=
st=20
attend a compulsory workshop which helps to teach children the life skills=
=20
necessary in dealing with real and relevant issues.
"The Midland Midnight Basketball Program will help address social issue=
s like=20
the number of young children roaming the streets late at night unaccompani=
ed by=20
responsible adults, while providing an attractive, healthy and productive=
=20
alternative for young people," Cr Zannino said.
At the conclusion of the tournament, 20 young people who have showed th=
e=20
highest level of commitment through regular attendance and leadership will=
be=20
rewarded by meeting two National Basketball Association players at the Wes=
tern=20
Australian Basketball Centre.
Midland Ward Councillor, Sandra Gregorini, emphasised the value of the =
joint=20
initiative in contributing towards the education and security of the City.=
"Recently introduced programs like Midnight Basketball have proven succ=
essful=20
in showing noticeable reductions in crime for at-risk teens," she said.
"These programs will continue to educate children and encourage our loc=
al=20
members of the community to get involved in protecting their neighbourhood=
s and=20
places of work."
Each tournament runs for eight weeks and is held from 7.00pm to midnigh=
t on=20
Saturdays at Swan Park Leisure Centre. The next one starts on October 16.<=
/P>
The Midland Midnight Basketball Program is an initiative and strategy=20
identified in the Regional Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan.
END
Media Release Date:=20
26/07/2010
For further information please=20
contact:
City of Swan - Corporate=20
Communications
Tel : 9267 9166
Fax : 9267 9257
Email :=20
melissa.sims@swan.wa.gov.au
Contact Name: Meli=
ssa=20
Sims
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