Nighthoops basketball tips off in Australind to help reduce rising youth crime

Australind High School courts are going to be open for an extra few hours after school over the next few months, as the Nighthoops Basketball Program is set to tip-off in town.

The program aims to connect young people to positive role models through basketball, helping keeping kids physically active with a healthy lifestyle.

Organised by the Stephen Michael Foundation, the program runs every Tuesday (April 16 to May 14) from 3.15pm to 5pm.

Described as a safe place for young people to hang out after school, to socialise and learn life skills, kids will work through targeted life-skill workshops that respond to community needs with the help of a big team of volunteers.

A spokesperson from the Stephen Michael Foundation said the group had been requested by local police to run an engagement program due to an increase in anti-social behaviour among young people in the Australind area.

Having already commenced their 20-week Rising Leaders program at Australind SHS, the decision to bring Nighthoops to the area made sense, according to the spokesperson.

The program aims to increase participation of at-risk and disadvantaged youths in sporting activities, reducing criminal activity around the community, and helping improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people involved.

This is not the first time this program has come to Australind, with the program running through November last year.

For more information about the program visit the Steven Michael Foundation’s website at https://smfoundation.org.au