Sep
26
2016
INSPIRING TO STAND TALL ON THE ABEL DUNN COURT
With only a few months under our belt, Charity Bounce once again expanded into new territories yesterday at the Abel Dunn Court in Warwick Farm. There was a definite home court advantage for the Stand Tall program, which was delivered on the Abel Dunn Court named after Steve Dunn and his wife Heidi Abel who generously donated to establish a court in the area for disadvantaged youth. Steve Dunn is one of the Founders of Charity Bounce (previously acting as an owner and Director of the Sydney Kings) and thanks to the generosity of the couple and the hard work of the local community and the Warwick Farm Neighbourhood Centre, the new basketball court was built at Hargrave Park. The court was opened to the public in July 2016 and Pat Hall, manager of Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections, was the woman who made the dream a reality with Charity Bounce partnering to deliver the first Stand Tall programs on the court with 2 clinics run on the day.
With a clinic for 7-14 year olds first up, it was a great day for a lot of the youngsters with a surprising level of skill for some of the youngest ones. With a community lunch for all ages, the 14-18 year group then hit the court to learn about skills both on and off the court with Coach Eban Hyams as head coach on the day. The Stand Tall program was aimed at giving culturally diverse children and young people positive life messages, emphasising the importance of school attendance, education and job pathways, as well as positive health and well-being.
Charity Bounce has attracted some high profile partners and ambassadors such as chef Sean Connolly, the Sydney Kings, ex NBL player and renowned coach Cal Bruton, Sydney Kings basketball legend Steve Carfino, but more recently we have added the former NBL player and experienced NBA Outreach Officer coach Eban Hyams to take on a key coaching role with the Stand Tall program and our All Stars team soon to compete in the Sydney Schools Shootout. Eban has played in the NBL and more recently worked with the NBA as an Outreach Officer throughout India to support and promote basketball and the league there. Based in Mumbai, he assisted in the administration of the Mahindra NBA Challenge amongst other basketball skills development and health education programs. Eban was recently invited to the NBA Development League National Invitational Tryouts in New York City where he competed with other NBA D-League hopefuls for a roster spot and will be playing professionally in the Indian league this year. Eban did a great job once again on the day and has proven his passion to make a difference and inspire positive change for all participants who join the program.
Since launching in June 2016, Charity Bounce has now had nearly 1000 participants across all programs, with young people placed in jobs with our new corporate employment partners, and more than 70 participants in our Hoop Dreams employment programs, as well as delivering our Stand Tall and Eat Strong Play Strong projects with the Nyewente Aboriginal community in Alice Springs. We look forward to what’s coming up next with some exciting news on the horizon. Keep listening in…
The children enjoyed learning how to Stand Tall with Coach Eban Hyams on the Abel Dunn Court in Warwick Farm.
Children learning how to Stand Tall and go for the big shots on the court and in life on the Abel Dunn Court in Warwick Farm.
Charity Bounce is a not for profit organisation that exists to inspire positive change to overcome disadvantage for individuals and communities. With a focus on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and Culturally Diverse communities, including newly arrived refugees we aim to move people toward a more positive future through the development of sports, the arts, health, education and employment focused social programs. The programs are delivered in partnership with professional athletes to motivate change and inspire.
