Slam dunk for youth
Earlville basketball program keeps kids off streets
CAIRNS Fire Project, a nascent youth program, is beginning to score big with the community by showing it can successfully steer troubled young people toward positive activities.
The project’s team engages with street-lurking youths through several methods, but its basketball nights at Earlville Shopping Town (EST) are proving particularly popular.
Known as FNQ Slam, the EST and Fire Project staff transform a carpark into a sporting complex for one night every month. The August and September events attracted dozens of participants.
“It’s about engaging with the kids – stopping them from loitering in the shopping centres by putting on some basketball,” Emma Cooke, the Fire Project’s business manager, said.
“It shows the kids they don’t need to feel threatened by adults and lets them know that we’re here for them.”
Free food is available for event participants, courtesy of Coles supermarket, and a DJ blasts some popular tunes throughout the evening to get everyone into a joyful mindset.
“It’s been a great initiative. We try to get as many of the shops from EST involved,” Ms Cooke said.
“The security come along and they play as well. We can’t wait for the next one.”
But despite its popularity, the event’s future isn’t guaranteed as it relies on funding from the Queensland Police’s co-responder team initiative.
Another event is scheduled for late October, but without further dollars it could be the final edition.
Fire Project founding director Marc Harbrow said the outcome of an independent review by JCU will determine the event’s longevity.
“We’ve had good participation. Families have rocked up. It really shows that we have to continue it,” Mr Harbrow said.
“The purpose of the Fire Project is to target anti-social behaviours in the youth cohort. We connect with children, build relationships and refer them to positive activities.
“It’s a real response to the growing issue of young people having too much time on their hands, experimenting with anti-social activities and, sometimes, engaging in crime,” Mr Harbrow said.