
Stand Tall with young refugee women in Western Sydney
Charity Bounce have partnered with Sydwest to deliver a Stand Tall Program for young refugee women around the Mount Druitt area. It was a great experience to work on some on court skills as well as share with these young women and hear their stories about moving to a new country, leaving some of their family and loved ones, and how their lives have changed since coming to Australia. The young women shared about the challenges they had faced living in their home countries including Iraq and Afghanistan.
One of the young women shared that her family say she is now living in paradise, as in her home country there were risks just walking down the street due to the fear of landmines. The young women shared how grateful they are to have the small things we can often take for granted like access to basketballs and a facility to play in. It was a privilege and inspiring to hear their stories and share time on the court to introduce some of them to the great sport of basketball, and we hope to continue to inspire them to follow their dreams.
The program will continue each week for this term and we would like to acknowledge funding contributions to the Stand Tall project provided by the St. George Foundation and the NSW Government.
The Stand Tall initiative is a basketball and leadership program for young people, with a focus on Indigenous and Culturally Diverse groups, including newly arrived refugees. The initiative aims to deliver a Stand Tall strength based program to develop life and leadership skills, using basketball as a means of engagement and providing an impacting experience that inspires participants to set goals and be motivated about their own future. The programs include both on and off court activities including basketball skills & drills.

Coach Josie with some of the young women who are part of the Stand Tall project.

Always good to stretch before you get into the basketball action. Amazing time sharing with the young women as part of the Stand Tall program.
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.