Like-minded community members have teamed up in York to organise a regular social event for local teenagers.
Representatives from the York Police, York Community Resource Centre (CRC), the York Shire and York District High School recently teamed up to brainstorm event ideas. What came out of this, was an event called Hoops for Youth, where about 40 local teenagers attended the York Recreation Centre for a game of basketball and a free sausage sizzle.
York Police Sergeant Luke Collins said the event went well, and he was looking forward to the next one.
“From a police perspective, York does not currently have a youth crime problem,” Sgt Collins said. “By providing activities, and in particular engaging those that are deemed as being the most susceptible to follow the wrong path, we are looking into the future to ensure that York remains a safe and secure place for all residents.”
Sgt Collins said the program had been driven by the CRC, in particular Serena Narkle, who had a real passion for engaging the York youth. CRC senior administration officer Serena Narkle said the program was about filling a void in town.
“We are passionate about it and we know that there is a need,” Ms Narkle said.
“This age group (12-18) miss out on a lot of things because there is not a lot for them to do. Northam has Night Hoops, but we wanted something too.”
Ms Narkle said the CRC would be applying for a $25,000 thousand dollar WA Police grant early next year called the Community Crime Prevention Fund.
CRC coordinator Robyn Garratt said the event in December was a one-off, but the organisation is hoping to organise a 12-week program if they received the grant.
”We wanted to see what the kids wanted from the grant money, if we were successful,” Ms Garratt said.
“About 30 kids came to the two-hour basketball event.
“We had four teams playing on two half-courts.”
Ms Garratt thanked all the sponsors and volunteers that helped umpire, train and keep score on the night, including Brody Kiernan, James Palumbo, Lee Kearns, Hailey Mills, Jess Fisher, Hailey Norrish, Kristy Livingstone, Danny Wallace, Robert Macey and the local York police.