BASKETBALL tournaments and life-skills workshops =
are=20
headed to Port Macquarie.
The Midnight Basketball Program, which has operated in Kempsey for thre=
e=20
years, will be expanded into Port Macquarie under new funding.
The program gives young people the chance to take part in basketball=20
tournaments and the workshops.
Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott announced $100,000 for three initiatives under th=
e=20
Safer Suburbs Program yesterday, if Labor wins the election.
Midnight Basketball is one of the beneficiaries.
=E2=80=9CMidnight Basketball is a coordinated program of safe pick-up a=
nd drop-off,=20
healthy meals, a night of activities, including basketball, music and work=
shops,=20
and it burns an awful lot of energy along the way,=E2=80=9D Mr Oakeshott s=
aid.
=E2=80=9CI have witnessed Kempsey=E2=80=99s Midnight Basketball first-h=
and and confirm it is=20
an excellent program.=E2=80=9D
Kempsey Police & Community Youth Club (PCYC) trainee activities off=
icer=20
Patrick Kelly agreed the program was a winner.
=E2=80=9CThe kids love it ... they have been coming up asking every sin=
gle day when=20
midnight basketball will be on again,=E2=80=9D he said.
Taree PCYC, Kempsey PCYC and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will share=
=20
$60,000 to run midnight basketball programs.
The Youth Advisory Council will support the program in the Hastings.
Port Macquarie Indoor Sports Stadium will be investigated as a possible=
=20
venue.
Mr Oakeshott also announced $25,000 to support Aboriginal youth cultura=
l=20
education and mentoring camps.
The Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council coordinates the camps, which w=
ill be=20
expanded to include events for girls.
The camps are open to indigenous youth from Taree to Kempsey.
The Love Bites program will receive a $15,000 grant.
Love Bites is for high school students and is designed to prevent sexua=
l=20
assault and domestic violence.
Meanwhile, Mr Oakeshott will hit the campaign trail in a 1980 model Isu=
zu=20
truck.
=E2=80=9CWe are doing the heavy lifting, and chasing government grants =
from where we=20
can get them for the area,=E2=80=9D he said.