Basketball Hoops Dreaming a slam dunk with young Mob

Every Monday afternoon, the courts at Morayfield Sports & Events Centre come alive with the sound of slam dunks and alley-oops as young local Mob gather for Basketball Hoops Dreaming. Run by the Moreton ATSICHS Family Wellbeing Service, the weekly program provides a welcoming space where young people can stay active, and parents and carers are encouraged to attend. 

Each week looks a little different. Sometimes participants focus on basketball drills and skills, while other sessions are dedicated to games and friendly competition. Participants have a say in how the afternoon unfolds, giving them the opportunity to lead activities and make choices about what they want to do.

For many young people, programs like Basketball Hoops Dreaming provide a third space. These spaces are just as important as home and school, playing a meaningful role in fostering community. Basketball Hoops Dreaming provides a sense of ownership over their space, supporting young people to build independence and confidence in their own abilities.  

And young Mob aren‘t the only ones taking to the court, with parents and carers regularly jumping into games, and some even bringing a secret weapon! Although placing little ones on your shoulders may not be an officially recognised basketball strategy, the extra height certainly comes in handy when reaching for a rebound.

Like many parents, Ben finds it challenging to get his children motivated for school. Mondays, however, are a different story.

“Getting them into the car is easy because they know they’ve got basketball after school,” he said.

Ben says the program has helped bring his children out of their shells and given them something positive to look forward to each week.

“Every Friday, I pick them up and they ask if they’re going to basketball on Monday.”

For Ben and many other families, Basketball Hoops Dreaming has become more than just an after-school activity. It’s showing that sometimes the biggest wins happen long after the final buzzer sounds.