More than 30 community members and representatives from Council Youth Services, TAFE, Mission Australia, Catholic Care, Commonwealth Bank, Police, PCYC, Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Hunter New England Area Health and others attended the meeting on Wednesday, September 8, to learn more about this dynamic program.

Midnight Basketball is a program for 12 to 18 year olds that combines sport and education on a Friday or Saturday night in a safe and motivating environment.

Each tournament runs for eight weeks from 7.30pm to Midnight and is designed to help identify and embrace positive opportunities for our youth.

The night starts with a healthy meal, followed by compulsory life-skills workshops, loads of basketball and a bus ride home at the end of the night.

Council's youth development officer, Bree Dennis said that shooting hoops, developing teamwork, learning new skills, making friends, keeping fit are just some of the fantastic benefits for the boys and girls registering to play in a Midnight Basketball competition.

Bree added that the success of the program is dependent on community engagement.

"For this program to run we need community members and community organisations to get involved.

“We are looking for committee members as well as volunteers who want to assist with the tournament including team managers, scorers, catering assistants and more.

“What we have established through this meeting is a positive level of community interest and we intend to push forward with getting the program established for 2011."

Community members and organisations who wish to get involved can contact Bree Dennis on 6552 5715 or email bree.dennis@gtcc.nsw.gov.au

For more information about Midnight Basketball Australia please visit the website at: www.midnightbasketball.org.au