Despite the high need for programs like this in the area, Ignite and many others in Armadale have yet to receive further funding to continue the work the young people need.

 

 Ignite Basketball is a FREE Armadale based intervention for young people engaged or at risk of engaging in anti-social and criminal behaviour.

 

Operating at times and in areas of high youth crime, we offer the opportunity for young men and women to get off the streets into a safe environment, keep regularly active, develop leadership skills, gain formal qualifications and work with positive role models for a brighter future. Our coaches, youth workers and volunteers employ an approach to facilitation that caters to the specific needs of the individual, allowing for tailored goal-setting and a greater chance of success.

 

Ignite Basketball works with its young men and women to build abilities in themselves that can benefit career, relationships and everyday life. With a combination of individual mentoring and group coaching, participants combat low self-esteem, insecurities and low confidence while learning effective public speaking, basketball coaching, group control, anger management and conflict resolution.

 

Features:

 

 - An intensive round robin basketball tournament

 - Regular fitness tests: Cardio, speed and agility

 - Basketball skills sessions

 - A mandatory 45 minute educational workshop ranging from topics such as drugs and alcohol (Delivered by Drug ARM WA), to nutrition, cultural awareness, consequences of youth crime, indigenous identity, life aspirations and much more

 - Leadership development and qualifications: Basketball coaching and refereeing certificates through Basketball WA (to help enable employment and a help establish a mentoring cycle)

 - Community work: Earning their service and privileges through providing the local community free car washes and cleaning up the surrounding area

 - Trips for tournament winners to watch the Boomers, Perth Wildcats and West Coast Waves

 - Healthy meals, drinks and snacks

 - Safe door to door transport home at the end of the night

 - Case Management: Partnerships with a network of WA youth organisations that helps to identify young people in need and build a support structure around them and their families

 - Earn Backs: An established discipline system that teaches young people the consequences of actions and has helped eliminate 97% of instances of repeat bad behaviour

 - Big prizes: Medals, t-shirts, hoodies, beanies certificates and $100 vouchers for teams and individuals who EARN them through good behaviour, on court skill as well as displaying team work, effort, leadership, role modelling and initiative

 - Participant of the Year wins a $1800 scholarship to take a trip on a Leeuwin Ocean Adventure. The winner joins 40 other crew members to help sail the Leeuwin II Tall Ship along the WA coast for a week, work as a team, learn navigation, scrub the decks, climb the 33 metre mast and more.

 In its first 40 weeks, we engaged with 246young people. 101of the group were under Department of Child Protection care. This ranged from abuse to homelessness.

STATS:

71% of the group stated that Ignite helped them learn more about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

 

62% of the group stated that talks delivered by WA police va Ignite Basketball discouraged them from committing an offence.

 

50% of the group stated that if they did not have Ignite Basketball to attend on Saturday nights, they would likely be out on the streets committing a crime.

 

 88% of the group stated that they had met new people and become friends through Ignite.

 

67% of the group stated that Ignite had helped them feel more comfortable taking a leadership role.

 

82% improvement in cardiovascular fitness has been recorded in Ignite Basketball participants since June 2012.

 

38% of the group stated that Ignite was the ONLY exercise they were involved in.

Quotes:

 

“I think it’s fantastic. It’s one of the few programs working at a grassroots level to make big change in Armadale.” - Armadale Youth Resources

 

“If we weren’t here we would be in the city or on the streets or probably at parties. We can hang out with friends and have fun.”  - Participant

 

“I see kids running amok in Armadale and running on the train. If I wasn’t here I’d probably be in the city.” – Participant

 

“Ignite Basketball has been one of the only agencies able to engage our client. For the past four weeks our Program coordinator has worked intensively with Ignite staff to develop a long-term strategy that will enable us to support our client in a positive, meaningful way.“  - Lara Keegan, Red Cross

 

“The thing I like about the program is that kids aren’t just receiving physical exercise, they’re learning to become the next group of leaders. It really is a fantastic idea to bring kids in that may have had problems, get staff to teach them skills so that it really is a full cycle that can only be good for them and everyone else.”  - Toni Buti MP

 

“I am grateful for all the dedication and help the Ignite team have shown my son. He has learned some valuable skills and he has used basketball as a way to build his confidence and self-esteem as well as becoming stronger mentally and physically. As a result he has become a positive role model for others and through Ignite has now qualified as a community coach, taking an active role at sessions.”  - Parent of participant

 

 

"If I wasn't here, I would be out at my cousins house getting drunk or trying to find a party somewhere."  - Participant

 

“Ignite basketball plays a vital role in a low socio-economic region of the metropolitan area. With a weekly average of 40+ Indigenous youth attending, the program provides something to look forward to each Saturday night. The program provides an essential service by providing alternative activities and delivering information to improve the mental, physical and social well-being of these youth.” - South Metropolitan Health Unit

           

Thank you for all your support up till this stage and for the future.

 

*** Ignite Basketball has been nominated for a Constable Care Award 2013 ***