Nov
08
2016
ABORIGINAL YOUTH ARRIVE IN SYDNEY AND JOIN A SLAM – DUNK PROGRAM
This week a group of 12 Aboriginal young men from Port Macquarie travelled to Sydney for a jam-packed experience of fun, education and basketball, with their first day participating in a Charity Bounce Stand Tall Program thanks to a collaboration project between The Clontarf Foundation and Charity Bounce. The Clontarf program aims to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men
The custom-designed program kicked off with an interactive basketball clinic run by Charity Bounce’s basketball coach Eban Hyams, a former NBL Rookie of the Year who has recently returned from working with NBA outreach programs in India. Hyams joined the youth on-court, teaching a range of basketball skills before putting them through their paces and sharing key lessons for life from his inspiring personal story. After the Stand Tall program, the youth were taken for a special dinner at the Novotel at Olympic Park followed by a night of high action basketball to see the Sydney Kings battle it out against the visiting Cairns Taipans.
The Kings’ own legend Steve Carfino surprised the group with a personal visit to give them a special welcome on the night.
“The Stand Tall program not only aims to teach young people basketball skills but also connects them with the right support networks to help them make positive changes and strive for goals in their own lives – regardless of the level of challenges they face,” said Cain Slater, Program Manager at Charity Bounce. “Charity Bounce focuses on providing young people with out of reach opportunities that they would normally not have access to.”
Charity Bounce’s Stand Tall initiative consists of basketball programs for disadvantaged youth, with a focus on Indigenous and Culturally Diverse groups, including newly arrived refugees. This initiative aims to deliver the Stand Tall strength based programs to improve education outcomes and develop life and leadership skills, using basketball as a means of engagement and providing an impacting experience that inspires them to set goals and be motivated about their own future.
Since launching in June 2016, Charity Bounce has welcomed more than 1500 participants across all of its programs, with 16 young people starting jobs with new corporate employment partners and more than 60 participants in its Hoop Dreams employment programs. Charity Bounce has also attracted high-profile ambassadors in celebrity chef Sean Connolly, ex NBL player and renowned coach Cal Bruton, and Sydney Kings’ basketball legend Steve Carfino, as well as delivering programs with involvement from the Sydney Kings, Jr NBA, Sydney Uni Flames, and other professional sports since launching in June.
The youth getting some lessons on life from Eban Hyams personal story at the Stand Tall program.
The youth getting some lessons on life from Eban Hyams personal story at the Stand Tall program.
Enjoying their first ever Sydney Kings game on the night after a great meal at the Novotel Olympic Park.
Enjoying the Sydney Kings taking on the Cairns Taipans at Qudos Arena.
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.
