Midnight Basketball Australia
is an Endorsed ACNC Charity

HOW TO VOLUNTEER & SUPPORT

Become a Mentoring Session Facilitator

Overview of Session Outlines by Week

Session FAQ's

BECOME A MENTORING SESSION FACILITATOR

The Mentoring Sessions Program provides a great opportunity to provide important teen messages, life skills and bonding activities to Midnight Basketball Players in a motivating, relaxed and welcoming environment.

For more detail read through the following role description.

Requirements

Midnight Basketball Australia requires all Mentoring Session Facilitators at Midnight Basketball Tournaments to have a current Working With Children (WWC) check. A copy of your WWC check will need to be provided to the Logistics Manager.

Week Prior

Confirm with Mentoring Sessions Manager any specific requirements, ie, equipment (may be available), butchers paper, pens, room set up etc.
Confirm Session Objective, that it is in line with the principles of Midnight Basketball, and that the session is structured to optimise this important opportunity for the teenagers.

On Arrival (6:30pm)

Sign the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Introduce yourself to the Tournament Night Manager. They will show you to the session area and introduce you to the Volunteer Mentoring Session Supervisor.
Set up session area (Volunteer Mentoring Session Supervisor will help you).
Familiarise yourself with the Code of Conduct (displayed around stadium, including the workshop area).

During Session(s)

Ensure Players feel welcome.
Actively engage the Players to ensure objective is met and they are encouraged to ask questions and provide examples where relevant.
Run session to time (approximately 30 minutes).
Ensure players are abiding by the Code of Conduct. If any issues, seek assistance from the Mentoring Session Supervisor, the Tournament Night Manager or Youth Worker.
All players to complete their Mentoring Session Feedback Form at the end of the session
If players do not behave and/or complete their Feedback Form they cannot play basketball.

End of Night

Feel free to watch the remaining games.
Let the Tournament Night Manager know that you have finished and are leaving for the night.
Sign out on the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.

Competencies and Attributes

Facilitating Midnight Basketball mentoring sessions is both an exciting and challenging task. Participants range in ages; some may have difficult educational experiences; are likely to favour basketball over the session and can be resistant to ‘learning’ at night. On the other hand, they are wonderful experiences and your contribution is profound. The following are some of the critical competencies for a Midnight Basketball Mentoring Session Facilitator:

You will also be a highly motivating facilitator to ensure the sessions are fun and full of energy while delivering these messages.
Well-developed engagement/communication skills with young people of varied backgrounds and ages.
Demonstrated experience working with teenagers 12-18 yrs.
Demonstrated group work facilitation experience.
An ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries and group rules.
An understanding of the issues facing young people and an ability to quickly build rapport.
Creativity and flexibility in responding to the needs of young people.
Experience working with young Indigenous people and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, or an understanding of needs.
An ability to adapt session materials to the specific needs of the participants.
Where relevant, a knowledge and understanding of local services, especially youth services.
Willingness to comply with all relevant legislation and child protection policies.

OVERVIEW OF SESSION OUTLINES BY WEEK

WEEK	TOPIC EXAMPLES
Week 1	Developing the Youth Code of Conduct
Week 2	Team Building
Weeks 3-8	Teams attend motivating mentoring sessions which utilise the analogy of sport and teamwork to focus on teen issues, life skills and activities, with topics such as: Basketball skills & training Motivational speakers Nutrition, health, wellbeing Social media & cyber safety Communication and decision making Confidence, self-esteem & making positive choices Personal identity & community engagement skills Job readiness and also many topics that local teenagers would like to learn more about
	Most importantly, ensure the sessions are fun, uplifting and will motive the Players to put in to action.

SESSION FAQ'S

Are the Session materials provided?

You or your organisation will more than likely have materials available that can be adapted to fit the Midnight Basketball mentoring session format. There are also packaged session materials available for the weeks 1 and 2 sessions. The Mentoring Sessions Manager can supply you with these.

Who will I be presenting to?

Teenagers (the Players) aged 12-18 years.

How many times will I present the workshop?

You will present the session three times on the same night at approximately 8:05pm, 8:45pm and 9:20pm (These times are based on our optimum schedule and should be used as a guide only. Check with the Mentoring Sessions Manager for session times specific to your tournament.)