A six-week program will launch on Friday after a late push to ensure the initiative gets in play this school term.

Midnight Basketball Australia chief executive officer Tess White was impressed with the hard work Ballarat Basketball and its strong community partners had achieved to prepare the program – they just needed a few extra helpers. Ms White said volunteers in established programs across the nation tended to get just as much enjoyment and fulfillment out of the program as the community’s at-risk youth participants did.

“You don’t have to be a basketball coach or youth worker. There are all sorts of roles for whatever your experience may be to come along and be useful,” Ms White said. “Youth will come because basketball is a magnet. Teens love it and the game is huge in regional Victoria.”

Midnight Basketball offers a purpose and motivation for youth, aged 12-18, in its structured sessions. Players start with a hot, nutritious meal before compulsory workshops covering essential life skills. Then, and only then, players hit the floor until midnight in tournament play with qualified referees.

No work shops, no jump shots.

Ms White said a lot of youth participants had never played formal sport before, or experienced finals action.

The sessions are at St Patrick’s College from 7.30pm on Friday nights, with participants provided a bus home by midnight.

Volunteers are needed to drive buses, serve dinner, help in workshops and in tournament roles, including scoring. Ms White said volunteers could help as many weeks as they wanted – they were not locked in for the whole program. 

Midnight Basketball launched in the Sydney suburb of Redfern and has proven a pathway for youth into the game and offered a community connection.

To volunteer, and details to get a working with children’s check, visit www.midnightbasketball.org.au/Ballarat