Yamatji teams represent in NAIDOC Basketball Carnival

PCYC Geraldton have had a full on few weeks, entering three Yamatji Teams in the 2022 NAIDOC Basketball Carnival. The camp was made possible in partnership with WA Police, Geraldton PCYC, GSAC, Meedac and City Of Greater Geraldton, each organisation contributing funds, staff members, buses, creating T shirts, activities and catering for the camp to go ahead. Coach and WA Police youth policing officer Michael Mongoo took an under-14 female team along with an under-16 and under-18 male team. The under-14 female team came away with three wins and two losses while the under-16s’ male team managed an impressive there wins and one loss. The under-18s male team rounded out the results with one win, three losses and a draw. The competition ran through July at Bendat Basketball Stadium with 21 young people and seven adults from the Mid West in support as well as many parents and people who come to cheer on the competitors. Organiser Tayla Quinn said the event has gained considerable traction in a short space of time. “We entered one team last year in 2021, this year we had three teams and our first female team which was an incredible opportunity for our community and young people,” she said. “Teams join the NAIDOC Basketball Carnival from all over WA and it’s a great opportunity to show our young people’s level of skill and ability on a WA wide stage.” Michael Mongoo said events such as these provide an important social network and goal for youths throughout the region. “In Geraldton, we work together to make things possible for our young people and continue to search for different opportunities for them, without the support of all our partnerships we would not be able to attend amazing opportunities like this,” he said. “Being able to take away young people to play sport from regional areas is important, it gives our young people something to look forward to and train towards an end goal.” “We hope more more policing districts and communities get involved from the regional areas.“ Going forward PCYC will be entering a male and female youth team into the Kambarang Cricket Carnival with Cricket WA in November. Training for this will begin in term four following on from the successful Deadly Cricket program run at Geraldton PCYC.