Northern Migrant Resource Centre

This project began when one of the MRC staff, Rhonda Hernandez, noticed that whilst watching her young boys play basketball there were several young people of African backgrounds watching without joining in. She talked to the young people and they told her that they had no uniforms and did not know how to join in. This experience inspired the Refugee Youth Basketball Program “Bridging the Gaps”, which continues to receive funding from Vic Health.

Since 2003, this program has sparked enthusiasm from volunteers, many of whom are members of Victorian Police. There are now 5 basketball teams with young people from Somali, Tongan, Vietnamese, Samoan and Sudanese backgrounds. For many, basketball is their first experience of organized team sport with 61 young people currently participating. This program has proven to be very effective in removing barriers for young people by providing them with transportation to and from games, uniforms, coaching and equipment which is essential for them to be able to play their favorite sport.

Recently, Variety Children's Charity have come on board as a sponsor of the MRC's Bridging the Gaps with Basketball program with a $40,000 contribution to allow the program to continue.

Variety's contribution will cover the team's transport, uniforms, equipment, venue hire, registration fees, game fees and joint team social activities.

Variety Children's Charity Board Member, Sharon McDonald, said, “Variety is pleased to be able to continue this amazing program and give these newly arrived young people an opportunity to access sport and all its benefits. We were really impressed that the program allows interaction between different cultures and puts into practice the Australian values of fairness, teamwork and friendship through sport”.

For further information, or if you would like to become involved in this very exciting program, please contact Ben Waterhouse on 9496 0200 or by email benw@spectrumvic.org.au