A group of 12 Aboriginal men from Port Macquarie travelled to Sydney last week to participate in a jam-packed experience of fun, education and basketball.
It included Charity Bounce’s Stand Tall Program thanks to a collaboration project between The Clontarf Foundation and Charity Bounce.
The custom-designed program kicked off with an interactive basketball clinic run by basketball coach Eban Hyams, a former NBL Rookie of the Year who has recently returned from working in India.
Hyams joined the youth on-court.
He taught them a range of basketball skills before he put them through their paces and shared key lessons for life based on his inspiring personal story.
Following the program, the youngsters were taken to the Sydney Kings game 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’s Stand Tall initiative consists of basketball programs for disadvantaged youth, with a focus on indigenous and culturally diverse groups, including newly arrived refugees.
Since launching in June 2016, the program 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.
It 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.
It also delivered programs with involvement from the Sydney Kings, Junior NBA, Sydney Uni Flames and other professional sporting organisations.
