NORTHERN MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTRE BASKETBALL
This project began when one of the NMRC staff, Rhonda Hernandez, noticed that whilst watching her young boys play basketball there were several young people of African backgrounds watching without joining in. She talked to the young people and they told her that they had no uniforms and did not know how to join in. This experience inspired the Refugee Youth Basketball Program Bridging the Gaps, which continues to receive funding from Vic Health. Since 2003, this program has sparked enthusiasm from volunteers, many of whom are members of Victorian Police. There are now 7 basketball teams with young people from Somali, Tongan, Vietnamese, Samoan and Sudanese backgrounds. For many, basketball is their first experience of organized team sport with 61 young people currently participating. This program has proven to be very effective in removing barriers for young people by providing them with transportation to and from games, uniforms, coaching and equipment which is essential for them to be able to play their favorite sport. For further information, or if you would like to become involved in this very exciting program, please contact Rhonda Hernandez on 03 9484 7944 [more about basketball in Darebin]
Thank you to Tessa Young from DHS who put me onto this story.
