On Sunday, 4 December 2022, the rivalry was fierce, the games were tough, and purple was everywhere at Sportz Central as Coffs Harbour’s basketball community competed in the Ball Against Domestic Violence (DV) 3×3 Street Hustle charity event.
The tournament raises awareness of domestic violence, including consent and respect, and this year over $4,000 was donated to Wesley Mission to support children, families, and others in need. Becoming U and Uniting NSW.ACT was proud to be two of the sponsors of this event.
Over the day, 60 teams played across divisions ranging from 10 & Under, Open Mens and Womens, to Emergency Services personnel – possibly the most competitive of all!
The court is half-sized in fast-paced 3×3 games. There are four players on each team, but three on the court at any time who have only 12 seconds to put a shot up.
Kevin White, NBL player and Charity Bounce Youth Engagement and Player Liaison, watched from the sidelines, answered questions from players of all ages, and gave out awards.
Charity Bounce is a not-for-profit organisation inspiring positive change to overcome disadvantage for individuals and communities with programs delivered by youth workers in partnership with professional sports, engaging professional athletes to motivate change and inspire young people.
Kevin was inspired by the successful event, saying, “If one kid takes away one piece of information, walks away a better person, or can make their community better, then we’ve done our job.
“To hear some of the kids ask, ‘what is domestic violence?’ and to see them all wearing purple is so cool.
“This is the first Hustle event I’ve been to. Seeing everyone playing hard and having fun is unreal. There are kids who can flat-out play and could go a long way.”
It was the second Ball Against Domestic Violence and the contest is growing! Kiah Bowen, NSW Police Force Region Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator, North Coast Basketball’s Rob Linton, and Cass Wilson, are the driving forces behind the tournament.
On the importance of the event, Kiah says, “Domestic and family violence is widespread, complex and persistent. It causes immeasurable damage to our communities. It can happen at home, behind closed doors, in a place that should be safe.
“As a community, we must stay committed to the prevention of violence of any kind and to do this, we need to continue providing domestic violence information to our communities. Through domestic violence awareness events like the Ball Against DV, we can keep the issue at the forefront of the minds of our community members.
“It was so powerful to see adults and children unite in the cause, to hear conversations and questions being asked on the day amongst the players about what domestic violence is, why the colour purple, and what the money raised was going towards.
“The Love Bites artwork displayed around the stadium also generated conversation about respectful relationships, reiterating the need to educate our youth to be informed about what a healthy relationship looks like and how to seek help when you need it.”
There was also some fantastic entertainment separate from the points, rebounds, and blocks, thanks to the talented Sub-Junior Hip Hop Crew Dancers from Coffs Harbour’s dance studio – cārnivalé.
Artistic Director, Jacqueline Carniato, summed up perfectly the performance and experience for the dancers “as part of their OPENSTAGE project (bringing dance to the people) initiative supporting causes such as Ball Against Domestic Violence”.
“Performing Right Here Right Now, a song chosen by the students supporting such a worthy cause – domestic violence needs to stop RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW.
“The crowd joined in clapping and cheering in appreciation for the dancers, with many of their students performing just minutes before hopping off the basketball court finals to change into their costumes and perform with their cārnivalé dance crew mates.
“The students say they will definitely be back again next year, stating they had a ball!”
The Ball Against DV event was made possible through a partnership with Basketball NSW and a group of amazing local sponsors and supporters, including Sportz Central, CHCC, Hoey Moey, Uniting, Becoming U, Busways, C2C, Efi Evolutions, CEX Group, The Physio Movement, Coffs Coast Hand Therapy, Spectre Real Estate, Black Santa Cattle Company, 3J by DJ, Ace Performance, Food Culture Nutrition, Gallows Brewing Co, Boob Armour, Coffs Harbour Basketball Association and many more.
For family and domestic violence support services, please call:
EMERGENCY 000
CRIMESTOPPERS 1800 333 000
POLICE ASSISTANCE LINE 131 444
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
Author: Simone Atallah
To become a sponsor or learn more about the 2023 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 2022 charity event gallery:
