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Midnight Basketball - London, UK
Midnight Basketball in London is a replica of the successful Laureus-supported project of the same name in Richmond, Virginia The project uses basketball activities and competition to engage at-risk young people from South and Central London, whilst also raising their awareness of society and community and creating training and development opportunities.
The project provides community basketball sessions year round on a weekly basis in areas of high juvenile crime and misbehaviour as identified by the Metropolitan Police. The team recruits from areas such as Norwood in Croydon, Battersea in Wandsworth and Kennington in Lambeth and across the neighbouring boroughs of Southwark and Westminster. The programme has been identified as a priority area for development due to the popularity of basketball in these areas, where young people are often uninterested in other sports. Support for a basketball initiative to tackle social issues has come from the Metropolitan Police, Nike, the London Mayor's Office and the central London Sports Action Zone.
The project delivers personal development programmes, alongside the basketball, including drug and alcohol awareness, conflict resolution, equality and diversity training and community safety. Those participants undertaking both the basketball coaching and personal development programme are given the opportunity to participate in weekend midnight basketball events, running from 10pm - 6am, that incorporate basketball and cultural activities, and which help to keep the vulnerable young people off the streets at a difficult tine.
Participants in the programme play in a Midnight Basketball League, with matches played monthly. The winning team have the chance to participate in the Midnight Madness event at Wembley each summer.
Midnight Basketball also offers a careers and employment programme for those wishing to undertake accredited training - including Community Sports Leaders Award qualifications and work placements
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