A new project aimed at building confidence among young males at risk has been launched by Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy at Basketball ACT today.
The Harmony Players project engages 25 young males, aged 16 to 25, from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, particularly from new and emerging communities, in positive social activities.
These activities include basketball skills development with Basketball ACT to allow the young males to play in mainstream teams; social activities involving players, their families and supporters; social and basketball sessions with ACT Policing to help break down the barriers; leadership and personal development training with Scouts ACT; mentoring opportunities; and raising awareness in ACT schools to foster understanding.
Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT (MARSS), a leader in the provision of settlement services to refugees and migrants in Canberra, will manage the project supported by funding from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
MARSS’ manager Mrs Dewani Bakkum noted that issues of “belonging” surrounded some young males from CALD backgrounds in the ACT.
“The communities are concerned by the formation of gangs and some violence,” Mrs Bakkum said.
“Sport is a family affair, and the launch of the Harmony Players project will promote the message that ‘Everyone Belongs’.”
“Sport can be very inclusive, and this project demonstrates how sport can be used to assist people in times of hardship. I would love to see programs such as this extended to other sports,” Senator Lundy said.
Basketball ACT CEO Mark Cartwright said Basketball ACT is very excited to support MARSS in the delivery of this Harmony project.
“Basketball is a truly international sport and we’re looking forward to developing a lasting relationship with the Sudanese population of Canberra through this project,” Mr Cartwright said.
