Volleyball helps set new goals

VOLLEYBALL and basketball are becoming increasingly popular amongst newly-arrived residents thanks to two community sports programs run by the Greater Dandenong council.
The City of Greater Dandenong is running basketball and volleyball programs for at the Noble Park Community Centre. The council’s youth services team leader Peter Leech said the programs, introduced at Noble Park Community Centre last November, now had more than 40 participants.
“When we met with these young people last year they told us they wanted somewhere local to meet and play informal sport,” he said.
“We listened to their needs and six months down the track participation numbers are continuing to grow. At the first session we had less than 10 people and now we have between 40 and 50 people turning up to play each week.”
Mr Leech said another positive to come out of the sports programs was the number of female participants, particularly those who were once refugees.
“By creating new opportunities for young women through sport we are also breaking down cultural barriers,” he said.
“Many of these young women had limited or no sporting experience before participating in this program. It is great to see them getting fit and having fun.”
Mr Leech said the programs were also a great way for newcomers to Australia to feel part of their local community.
“We are talking about a lot of young people who were struggling with social isolation and a lack of peer support networks,” he said.
“They now feel like a valued member of their local community and that is such a positive outcome.”
The basketball and volleyball programs are held at the Noble Park Community Centre every week.
Basketball is held on Mondays from 3.30pm to 6pm and Volleyball is held on Tuesdays from 3.30pm to 6pm.