Fundamental Basketball Club and Doncaster Danum Eagles have received £11,520 to help run “RESPECT – Basketball Changing Lives” a community basketball program from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings.

The Club with the aid of this grant plan to introduce new diversionary opportunities for young people where anti-social behaviour is taking place. Fundamental is an established community organisation based in Doncaster.

They use basketball as a tool to promote stronger, more cohesive and healthier communities. Through activities and community projects, people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to reach their potential, raise their aspirations for the future and develop the self-discipline, personal skills and a value for their community that will help them to achieve their wider goals.

For over ten years, they have successfully engaged with hundreds of children, young people and adults from some of the most difficult to reach communities in Doncaster.  The club are currently engaging over 500 local people in our programs, as well as working in partnership with a diverse range of community and voluntary sector organisations.

The project will provide an alternative to antisocial behaviour in ‘hot spot’ areas of Doncaster. It will use the power of sport to deter anti-social behaviour and progress current and potential offenders into positive activities that cultivate feelings of self-worth and value in their local community.

“RESPECT” aspires to take a holistic approach to support tackling ASB in Doncaster; providing engaging activities, encouraging a sense of value and ‘stake holding’ in communities, as well as early intervention for the next generation. All strands of the project are underpinned by the values of the organisation, to include respect (for self and others) and contribution.

Dr Billings paid a visit to the club at one of their regular junior training sessions where he saw first-hand exactly how Coach Martin inspires the young people through the sport of basketball.

He said “It was a very interesting visit to see the children engaging in Basketball with Coach Bob Martin.  The young people were all enjoying themselves and were exceptionally polite.

“The funding from the Community Grant Scheme has been awarded to help Fundamental Basketball Club & Doncaster Danum Eagles provide young people with fun activities in the community.  It is hoped that by engaging with them at a young age, they will make alternative life choices.  Although not all those involved would necessarily get into trouble, these basketball sessions could divert some young people away from anti-social behaviour.”

Coach Bob Martin said “This is a huge deal for our club and will enable us to push on with our plans for expansion.

“Fundamental & Danum Eagles have over ten years of experience in engaging the hard to reach and disengaged, so to be given this grant is testament to the years of hard work my team and I have invested”

For more information on the project please email [email protected]