Launch of the
@PeregrinFalcons @AfricanWomensBasketballTeam
DATE: 20 March 0530pm
LOCATION: @DandenongBasketballStaduim 270 Stud Rd, Dandenong VIC 3175
WEBSITE: http://afri-auscare.org/afri-connection/
Black Rhinos Basketball Club is stands out from your usual domestic team for all the right reasons. It is the brainchild of Afri-Aus Care founder Selba Luka, Jamy Alex and other founding Black Rhinos who saw the need to give Dandenong’s youth the strongest possible foundation.
Helping the youth from African and other migrant communities is their priority. To encourage the players to improve their lives and the community as a whole at the same time – through a wonderful all-encompassing conduit… basketball. Black Rhinos Basketball Club
Connecting community improvement and sport is the winning move the Black Rhinos seek to use as they teach their players to be their best in all aspects of life – not just as a player or a team member. After emigrating from Malawi, Luka has been at the forefront with troubled African teens as she took it upon herself to help fellow migrants navigate the legal system once they had erred.
But she thought there was a better way. A kid who has a positive environment, a supportive team and friends around them is less likely to end up before a magistrate.
From there – through sheer force of will – she’s managed to get the pieces in place for the Black Rhinos. They’re set to take to the court over the weekend for their first tournament, but their greatest victories probably won’t be on court. It will be in the hope they provide young African-Australian children.
The manner in which they deservedly thrive and flourish in life on and off the court. And that’s no simple task – but Luka isn’t going to stop for anything.
“It’s not easy at all – if they’re not given the love and opportunities it creates so many problems that we see,” Luka said. “People can change – what are you seeing outside there before (on the Dandenong courts) – it’s kids that are willing to change.” This simple idea – give them sanctuary from the worst elements of their lives and their communities – is gaining traction. From 15 players in their first session to the 60 who now proudly call themselves Black Rhinos, it’s an incredible increase so quickly as the side looks towards its first tournament this week.
Basketball Victoria is a proud partner of Afri-Aus Care and the Black Rhinos program and Strategic Operations Manager Karen Pearce believes it will have wide reaching impact well beyond the stadium. “We are proud to be associated with Afri-Aus Care and are committed to using basketball as the conduit to increasing social connectivity and physical health and wellbeing outcomes for at-risk African and other migrant youth,” Pearce said. “This program – in partnership with Dandenong Basketball Association – it goes way beyond being simply about basketball.
Come and join us at the launch, presentation, a fun game and food and snacks. Thanks o our friends at Afri-Aus Care Inc. Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Magazine is proudly covering the launch (media: Glen Wilson (filming)Rouben Dickranian (photos) , Natasha Marchev (review). Please stay tuned for more information.