Sep
19
2016
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN WARWICK FARM
With only a few months under our belt, Charity Bounce is once again expanding into new territories. The difference on this occasion is a little home court advantage for the Stand Tall program in Warwick Farm. The Stand Tall program will be delivered on the Abel Dunn Court in Warwick Farm 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 $150,000 Abel Dunn 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. “We did a youth consultation two years ago and one of the things they asked for was a basketball court… and that is when we decided to go for it” she said.
Ian Heininger, CEO of Charity Bounce was invited in their absence to present at the courts Official Opening and has now been able to partner with Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections to deliver the first Stand Tall programs on the court with 2 clinics for 2 age groups to be delivered on Monday the 26th September for local children and young people in the area. “I believe basketball has amazing potential to inspire and bring together people who are very different in not only their skill levels but in their culture, age, and gender. Basketball is uniquely positioned to promote inclusiveness and engage in a powerful way to build positive stories and expand confidence.” There will be a community lunch held at the Neighbourhood Centre for all participants.
The Stand Tall program will run at the Abel Dunn court aimed at giving culturally diverse young people positive life messages as well as emphasising the importance of school attendance, education and job pathways, as well as positive health and well-being.
Since launching in June 2016, Charity Bounce has now had more than 900 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.
Charity Bounce continues to attract 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, and more recently we have added the former NBL player and experienced NBA Outreach Officer coach Eban Hyams. to deliver the program on Monday. 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.
The Warwick Farm community enjoying the opening of the Abel Dunn court.
The grand opening of the Abel Dunn court named after the Charity Bounce founder and Chairman Steve Dunn and his wife Heidi Abel. Heidi got the first name rights as a significant advocate for the disadvantaged youth in the area.
The Hoop Dreams programme is funded by the Australia Government Department of Employment as part of the Empowering YOUth Initiative.
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.
