THE Wheatbelt Basketball competition is still going strong, with fortnightly matches between police and local youths going on since May this year.
The program has been available to young people across 12 communities of the Wheatbelt region, giving local young people and police a chance to interact with each other on common ground.
The competition is engaging young people in a competition against police officers as a fortnightly mixed basketball game open to young people between 13 and 17 years.
The game is aimed at boosting the rapport between police and young people.
The focus is on having fun in a friendly and social atmosphere.
The games have been surprisingly evenly matched to date with players from both sides showing some great skill.
To up the ante a bit, all participants will have the opportunity to take part in a challenging game of wheelchair basketball on August 8 in York.
The Wheatbelt Basketball Competition is sponsored by Regional Development Australia Wheatbelt’s Youth Connections program, Wheatbelt District Police, Bendigo Bank York, Shire of Kellerberrin, Department for Communities and Youth Justice and supported by Avon Youth.
Together these organisations will continue to involve youth and their communities in the competition until May, 2013.
For more information about the Wheatbelt Basketball Competition or to find out how you can get involved contact Constable Lea Arnold at the Kellerberrin Police Station on 9045 6000.
