The Redskins Basketball Club evolved as a consequence from a small group of twenty young males (14 - 16 years) who regularly played basketball at the newly formed Sunshine YCW Sports Centre (now called RecWest) in Braybrook. These young people formed several teams and entered into the 1995 Sunshine Basketball Association's competition. Their team name at the time was "Ricochet".
The cultural backgrounds of these young people was very diverse, including Asian, Eastern European, African, South American and Anglo-Saxon. Many came from low socio-economic backgrounds, experimenting with drugs and alcohol and testing society's rules. At the time, many of the players were experiencing, among other issues, financial hardship. They were constantly using their living expenses to pay fees to gain access to the Centre, purchase basketball uniforms, train and play basketball. This resulted in individuals not having enough money for other necessities such as food, clothing and education material.
Basketball offered these young people a release from society's pressures and gave them a sense of purpose, self-respect and acceptance. Problems such as team violence, aggression, lack of self-discipline and self-control were experienced at the time and it was decided a name change was needed to start fresh with a new team and a new vision. Thus the Redskins Basketball Club was formed in mid 1997 with 20 registered players. Jim Markovski from Open Family Australia was instrumental in establishing policies and the Club's future direction. Jim has worked with the different groups and also the sponsors at the time to establish a Club ethos. This ethos would not only see the youth learn to have fun and enjoy the game of basketball in its correct context of fair-play, but would also provide an environment where other counseling and services could work with these young people in a non-threatening manner.
In 2009, 416 young people played in in the Sunshine Basketball Association's domestic competition. The Redskins Basketball Club is a shining example of how sport can change a young person's life and enable them to feel a part of their community.
The City of Frankston has a new community outreach program to combat the rise in youth homelessness, crime and alcohol and drug related abuse for troubled youth in the region. A development committee made up of concerned local business owners approached Open Family Australia in 2008 to establish the program to assist at-risk and homeless youth aged 12-25 in Frankston.
Tickets are now selling for the 2010 A Night On The Streets gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. Reserve your seat now and experience all the glamour of international travel to exotic locations. Sit on a famous street of the world such as Fleet Street, Route 66, Champs Elysees, Grand Canal and more.
