My Account
There’s a new “night club” in town – focused on healthy activity and a sense of belonging for Coast youth.
The Ballers Night Club, which started last week (Friday, March 4) is a social youth basketball programme facilitated by Coast Youth Community Trust (CYC) and funded by Harbour Sport.
Programme manager, Caitlin Watson, says it came about as there are not many things for people aged 14-18 to do in Whangaparāoa on a Friday night.
“It provies a positive, safe community space for young people to hang out and ball,” she says.
It’s not the first time that basketball has provided a way of encouraging youth to be active, learn team values, develop confidence and build a positive social community supported by mentors.
Similar programmes have been run with students at local schools. Caitlin says The Ballers Night Club is based on Midnight Basketball in the USA, which was a programme developed to curb inner city crime and keep youth off the street late at night.
“Basketball is a great game to help build community,” Caitlin says. “Our team are there to connect and play ball with youth. Each Friday night session involves sharing food, listening to a short talk given by a positive role model and participating in a social basketball scrimmage.”
The Ballers Night Club is for 14-18-year olds. It is at Whangaparāoa College’s gym on Friday nights, from 7.30pm-10pm.
You need to register in advance to take part (no vaccination passes needed) – email caitlin@coast.org.nz
