STAR BASKETBALL
RECREATION
Background to the Program

Is an organisation that was started in 2006 by young people in the
Sudanese Community

In 2007 STAR Basketball developed its first basketball training
program in Blacktown with the support of SydWest MSI,
Blacktown Police, Blacktown PCYC and Blacktown Youth
Services Association

Initial core funding is provided by SydWest MSI under the DIAC
funded Youth Projects

Since its first training program in 2007 SBR has gone from
strength to strength
South Stars, SBR Senior Team
These are the senior team
players and they are the one that
coaching and mentoring the
younger kids who are involved
in the program.
Some SOUTH STARS team
members stoped participating in
the basketball trainings and
games due to other
commitments (study and work)
but they are still involved in
supporting junior teams of SBR
in coaching
And mentoring them.
Aims and Objectives
• To give young people in Blacktown the opportunity to develop a love of
basketball
• To develop sports and youth relationships among African young people
and the wider community in Blacktown
• To disengage young people from participating in anti social activities
• To provide opportunities to young people in engage in mainstream
sporting activities
• Leadership development including the managements are group of
progressive, engaged and active youth looking to make a difference by
getting involve in the academic and sport area.
Who is Participating in the Program?
This program is designed to assist young people 12 – 24 yrs in
Blacktown LGA who are unable to enter mainstream basketball
competitions with over 50 participants.
Many of these young people are from newly arrived refugee and
migrant communities such as Sudan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC,
Ghana, Iran, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Thailand and Pacific Islands.
The largest group in the program
are young males from 14 – 18
years of age.
STAR Basketball Activities
1.
Weekly Basketball Training at Blacktown PCYC
2.
Participating in Mainstream Local Leagues
2.
Linking Participants to further training
opportunities e.g.
3.
Developing Community Galas and Competitions
4.
Working with sporting, youth and other
organisations
1. Weekly Basketball Training
The program runs free training for young people at
Blacktown PCYC on:
Tuesdays
Thursdays
Saturdays
 Coaches are Mayor Chagai
and Andy Kenyi with the
support of other community
coaches when needed

2. Participating in Mainstream Local
Leagues

There are currently 48 young people in the Mount Druitt League
and 2 are in NSW Youth league representative.

Mainstream competition is important for the young people to not
only develop their skills in Basketball but create teams work and a
sense of belonging among the group
Young people in the program
have developed stronger relationships
with the teams in the local league over
the years which promotes
community harmony and respect.

3. Developing Community Galas

Organising community galas within the Sudanese Community
-
Regular Sydney vs Newcastle galas
Canberra Gala
Hosting the Annual Sudanese Australian Interstate tournament in 2009 and
20019 with over 250 young people from around Australia competing
-
Organising free galas for young people
in Penrith and Mount Druitt


Participating in other community galas
Working with sporting, youth and
other organisations










SydWest Multicultural Services Inc.
Blacktown Police
Blacktown Police Community and Youth Club
Blacktown Youth Services Association
Blacktown Storm
Basketball Australia
NSW Department of Attorney General
Com4unity
Youth Off The Street
Midnight Basketball
Strategies to Success

The time & commitment of the youth founders and coaches is central to
the support of the project

Providing consistent and reliable programming for young people to
develop trust
Flexible approach by services providers
to respond to the needs of the program
while encouraging community ownership
and decision making

Maintaining communication with
parents through regular phone
calls and parent information sessions
 Support provided from many different people and organisations


Linking training with information sessions to cater to young
peoples needs

Developing youth leadership within the program through
training and advocacy opportunities
Linking sport with education support
Providing positive role models and
mentor to young people, particularly
those without an adult male role
model in their life

Challenges

Developing trust among young people, many of whom are from
refugee backgrounds and face multiple settlement challenges

Providing transportation in the program (this has particularly
affect the girls program)

Securing ongoing funding for the project including local league
participation costs, venue hire, equipment etc.

Catering to the growth of the program with limited resources

Time restrictions for coaches
Achievements






Feedback from parents and local services (including the police)
indicate a rapid improvement in young peoples behaviour
Developing strong links with sporting associations
Developing the African Youth Project with SydWest MSI
through DIAC SGP Grants
Receiving funding and support from Blacktown Workers Club,
NSW Attorney-Generals, Community Relations Commission
and NSW Sport and Recreation and Blacktown Advocate
Providing recognition of the contributions of African young
people through media in the Blacktown Advocate, SMH, Daily
Telegraph and Penrith Press
Developing relationships with mainstream sporting associations
such as Basketball NSW, Basketball Australia etc
Contacts
Mayor Chagai
dolemayor@yahoo.com
Ph: 9621 6633

Andy Kenyi
andykenyi@yahoo.com
Ph: 9621 6633
