Midnight basketball a slam dunk success

A Midnight Basketball participant.

THE Sydney head office of Midnight Basketball told the Clarence Valley Council if it attracted 20 participants in its first week it would be breaking all records.

But at its opening night in Grafton it drew 44.

Then last Friday night - the second week of its operations - there were 108.

It has been what Mayor Richie Williamson deems an enormous success. It's a success he hopes can be repeated in Yamba, but first the group needs volunteers to help run the program.

"We've got the funding to run the program in Yamba, but what we don't have is the 20 volunteers to help run the group," he said. "It's a really good program. Participants have to be there by a certain time. They get two healthy meals, no soft drink and obviously no alcohol

"You are not allowed to leave until midnight and if you do you are banned next week.

"When the kids leave there they have absolutely had it. They leave there to go home to bed."

Midnight Basketball is a national program aimed at helping youths aged 12-18 years identify and embrace positive opportunities.

It involves dinner, compulsory life skills workshops and tournament basketball games from 7.30pm-midnight, followed by a bus home, providing a safe and motivating environment.

The first Midnight Basketball program was launched in Red-fern in 2007 and due to its success the program was launched nationally.

If you can volunteer for the Yamba program, contact Deborah Stafford on 0428 523 414 or email deborah.stafford@clarence.nsw.gov.au.