Aug
09
2017
STAND TALL CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Illawarra Hawks player Kevin White and Townsville Fire player Darcee Garbin joined NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton to inspire positive change in Aboriginal communities in Central Australia last week. The NBL and WNBL players delivered Stand Tall programs with the Nyewente and Ltyentye Apurte Aboriginal communities in and around Alice Springs and the Mutijulu community in Uluru.
The programs in Central Australia began 12 months ago through a partnership with the local Nyewente Basketball Club championed by Indigenous research fellow, Ricky Mentha and Wil Foster, a former Adelaide 36ers development player, who started the grassroots club in the Nyewente community in Alice Springs in 2011. Charity Bounce delivered the Stand Tall basketball program for young people in the local communities and established new relationships with Aboriginal communities in Central Australia including the delivery of a Stand Tall program at Ltyentye Apurte and a visit to the Ntaria Communtiy near Alice Springs.
The Stand Tall program was also delivered in the Mutijulu Community in Uluru on the court established ahead of the Rio Olympics by the Boomers national team, driven by NBA champion Patty Mills, the NBAPA and the ABA (read the story here).
The young people from the local Aboriginal communities in Central Australia were full of talent on the court and passionate about the sport of basketball. Kevin White from the Illawarra Hawks said about the talent on show that “All they need is an opportunity. There’s a three-court stadium in Alice Springs, but some of the clinics we’ve done have been on dirt and concrete. These kids might not have the facilities, but the talent they have is remarkable”.
The Stand Tall initiative consists of basketball and leadership programs for young people, with a focus on Indigenous and culturally diverse groups. The initiative aims to deliver the Stand Tall strength based programs to develop life and leadership skills, using basketball as a means of engagement and providing an impacting experience that inspires participants on and off the court to set goals and be motivated about their own future.
Joining the players on the trip were Charity Bounce CEO, Ian Heininger, Charity Bounce Chairman Stephen Dunn, and former NBL and NBA executive Bret Mactavish to build positive relationships with the communities and explore ways to deliver ongoing programs in the region.
A big thanks to the amazing Aboriginal communities and all the people involved in making the programs a success. We are looking forward to working in partnership long into the future together.
WANT TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
START YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN!
We are looking to set up ongoing programs in collaboration with the Aboriginal communities in Central Australia. Join us to support ongoing programs and launch your own fundraising campaign Get started today and help support the work in these communities! Some great prizes are also on offer!!
Everyone was eager to get involved at the Stand Tall program in Alice Springs.
A big thanks to Kevin White from the Illawarra Hawks, Darcee Garbin from the Townsville fire and NBL Hall of Famer and Stand Tall Program Director, Cal Bruton for inspiring the young people both on an doff the court.
Nyewente artist Audrey McCormack explains the meaning behind her artwork representing the relationship that has been formed with Charity Bounce since last year.
Illawarra Hawks player Kevin White and Townsville Fire player Darcee Garbin ponder playing AFL in Central Australia. Amazing landscape and great to see the impact sports has in these communities to inspire young people.
It was great to meet some of the young people from the Ltyentye Apurte community at the Stand Tall program in Central Australia.
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.
