The inaugural Ball Against Domestic Violence charity event was a huge success thanks to young basketball players from Coffs Harbour and surrounds who helped raise over $2,700 for Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services.
Warrina delivers vital support services for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence across the Coffs Harbour region and the Mid-North Coast.
On 18 December 2021, players headed to Coffs Sportz Central, threw on their kit and purple wristbands in support of domestic violence awareness, made sure they had their best game face on, and battled it out on court in an action-packed 3×3 Street Hustle basketball competition.
The tournament was organised by Kiah Bowen, Region Domestic Violence Coordinator – NSW Police Force and Robert Linton, the coach and head of North Coast Basketball, with hopes it will become an annual charity event. Uniting NSW.ACT was one of the proud sponsors and the team behind Becoming U, a Uniting initiative, supported the organisers during the competition.
“It was such a fun day and I cannot wait to do it again! I am really looking forward to this year’s Ball Against Domestic Violence event that will be bigger and better,” said Robert who is looking for sponsors for the 2022 tournament.
Although rivalry between teams was intense, spirits were high and everyone there made sure it was a wonderful event. Noah Fluechter, whose team won the 14 & Under boys’ division, took his $25 prize money and handed it over to Kiah as a donation making him a star both on and off the court.
In addition to providing much-needed funds for Warrina, the event’s aim was to start important conversations about domestic and family violence in the community, and raise awareness of the support available for victims and programs to help men change their behaviour.
On the day, 52 teams competed in 12 & under, 14 & under, 16 & under, and open men, open women, and mixed divisions. Open teams were mostly made up of emergency service personnel, some who had travelled from Sydney, Byron Bay and Port Macquarie.
With 3×3 games, the court is half the size but the play is twice as fast – and the competition 10 times as fierce! Just 4 players are on each team and they have only 12 seconds to put a shot up.
So which teams walked away with the trophies? Here are the winners:
12 & Under Boys – Comets
12 & Under Girls – Swish
14 & Under Boys – The Ballers
14 & Under Girls- SMU Unknowns 16G
16 & Under Boys – No Clue
Emergency Services Division – Richmond District #2
Open Men – Sydney Supersonics
Open Women – 16 NCB Nationals
Congratulations to all the players, Kiah, Rob and everyone involved for a successful event. Swish!
Author: Simone Atallah
To become a sponsor or learn more about the 2022 Ball Against Domestic Violence charity event, please contact Robert Linton on the North Coast Basketball website using this form.
Take a look at the Ball Against Domestic Violence 2021 charity event gallery:
