Midnight Basketball scores another three-pointer in Midland

Saturday 12 June marked the end of another successful Midnight Basketball tournament in Midland, culminating with an exciting grand final night on the courts at Swan Park Leisure Centre.

18 June 2010

More than 50 players signed on for the eighth and final week of this year’s first tournament, and by midnight, the Green Machine team had been crowned tournament champions.

Tournament Manager Kurtis Leslie said, “It was a fantastic tournament. The kids really impressed me with their willingness to listen and commit to each other and as a result improved each week not only as individuals but as a team.

“The kids are a real testament to their family and community. The volunteers were also great and were invaluable to the success program. Without them we would not be able to run it.”

Highlighting the breadth of the program, other important awards included 100% attendance certificates and workshop champions.

“Getting the players active in a disciplined, team activity is important, but there is more to the tournaments. The life-skills workshops help them learn about society outside the basketball courts,” said Midland PCYC youth worker Mark Hardwick.  

Life-skills workshops are a critical and mandatory part of each tournament. This tournament offered up topics such as goals setting, conflict resolution, motivation and leadership, communication, and science.

“The players really want to be out on the court but they’ve realised the importance of the workshops, and we try our best to get topics that are relevant, interactive and educational,” said Mark.

Community involvement and support was again strong for this important youth diversionary and inclusion program. People Who Care once more provided transport home for the players, the City of Swan offered up the venue and food was supplied by Midland’s Top Nosh, Baker’s Delight Midland Gate, Johnson’s Meats and Eagle Boys Midland.

“We also love the fact that each week volunteers come from different parts of the community, including Polytechnic West in Midland, Youth With A Mission and members of the public. And without the support from WA Police, the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Office of Crime Prevention, things would be a lot more difficult,” said Kurtis Leslie. “We couldn’t do this without any of them.”

This year’s NBL champions, the Perth Wildcats, regular supporters of the tournament, offered champion player Brad Robbins in a support role for the evening. The Wildcats’ star guard was impressed by the calibre of young indigenous players, commenting to Kurtis Leslie on their skills and incredible athleticism.

“Brad said to me that we have a lot of kids who really can play well, and with some nurturing, who knows what they could achieve,” said Kurtis.

Volume crime and anti-social behaviour have been on the decline for the past 18 months in the Midland area and Mark Hardwick believes that some of that can be attributed to the three Midnight Basketball tournaments.

“There has been a noticeable difference in the attitudes of our players towards police and other people in authority. Through positive interactions during tournaments like this they are seeing beyond the uniform. Vice versa it’s the same. The attitudes towards some of the indigenous kids have softened and there is good communication both ways,” said Mark.  

The next eight-week tournament is scheduled to begin on 16 October, with community and business support being sought to help grow what is fast becoming an iconic part of Midland’s Saturday nights. Any enquiries can be directed to midland@midnightbasketball.org.au.