YMCA Healthy Living Magazine, powered by n4 food and health Spring 2017 | Page 14

Y STREETBALL:
BUILDING
STRONGER
COMMUNITIES
Discover a YMCA program that is strengthening
communities through basketball.
I
t’s no secret that team sports provide more benefits
than just the physical. Being part of a team creates a
sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself.
Unfortunately, it is often the case that those who need this sense
of belonging most, are often the ones who can afford it least.
Team sports like basketball come at a cost. There are
registration fees and the weekly price per game, not to
mention the right uniform and suitable footwear.
Recognising this barrier and the negative impact it was
having on their community, friends Dave Gunstone and Peter
Abraham decided to make a difference.
The pair had formed a, perhaps, unlikely friendship. Peter, an
art teacher, ran art workshops out of the North Melbourne
Community Centre as well as a laundry service for people
experiencing disadvantage. This was where he met Dave, a
participant of these programs.
‘We just sort of struck up a friendship. I was really into
basketball, and he was really into basketball, so it was always
something we gravitated towards discussing with each other,’
said Peter.
It was their mutual love of basketball combined with the
knowledge that the game was not currently accessible for all
people – including those who are homeless, or experiencing
some form of disadvantage – that led the pair to create
Y Streetball.
The idea was to create a drop-in basketball group, which
required no commitment, no uniforms and no existing skills.
The pair approached North Melbourne Community Centre
when scoping out a suitable space. Seeing an opportunity to
provide people experiencing disadvantage a chance to feel
healthier and happier, staff at the Y-managed centre were
glad to be involved. But it wasn’t easy. Getting Dave signed
up as an official YMCA volunteer proved difficult without a
fixed address or access to passport photos.
After much perseverance, the officially certified YMCA
volunteers Dave and Peter were able to hold their first
Y Streetball program about two months ago.
Since its first week, the Tuesday afternoon 4pm to 6pm
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YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
Y Streetball sessions have gone from strength to strength,
with resoundingly positive feedback from all those who’ve
been involved.
‘There’s so much talent on the streets, things like Y Streetball
give them the opportunity to shine,’ Dave said. ‘It’s more than
just basketball, it’s a community where you can rock up and
you’ve got a social network, you can make new friends. You
go home feeling like you’re a part of something.’
Dave says the main focus now is getting the word out so that
more people can come and join in. ‘Everyone and anyone is
welcome,’ he said.
In a short amount of time the Y Streetball program has
received sports shoes and clothing donations. What’s more, a
soup kitchen is available afterwards, at the centre. ‘It’s an
opportunity to get active for a few hours, take a shower in the
centre, then get a feed – all in the one place,’ said Peter. ‘At
4pm when people come in, they’re often quite tired, maybe a
bit grumpy – they might not have eaten that day, but then by
the end of the session everyone is really positive, you can see
the mood change just through playing the sport together.’
This unique program creates new friendships and a healthy
routine for people who need it most. Peter says despite
working with other programs for people experiencing
disadvantage, the positive impact of playing sport together is
more powerful than anything else he has been involved with.
‘There’s something about sport that really binds people
together,’ he said.
If you’re interested in getting involved with Y Streetball, or
simply want to find out more, contact the North Melbourne
Community Centre on 9320 4700.