Kids basketball programme a slam dunk

'Whanau Ballers' learn skills and drills at the Springvale Stadium. Photo/ Stuart Munro

A kids' basketball programme that kicked off yesterday is proving to be a "slam-dunk" with 180 players signing up to participate.

The Whanganui basketball academy, Whanau Ballers, was created earlier this year by "keen basketball families" for schoolchildren up to year 8 and will run every Sunday over a seven-week period.

The programme is being held at Springvale Stadium in Whanganui.

Team co-ordinator Evelyn Hiri-Gush said the first six weeks would be "skills and drills" and the final week would be a tournament.

"It's really to create a positive activity for kids to do on Sunday as well as give those players who can't make the Thursday night mini-ball comp games another opportunity to play.

"Our youngest player is only 3 years old and oldest is 11," Ms Hiri-Gush said.

The mother-of-two said there were 10 volunteer coaches from Whanganui schools and clubs involved in running the programme and families were encouraged to come along.

"We also have Te Puni Kokiri, Nga Tai O Te Awa, Te Oranganui and the Whanganui DHB sponsoring the programme which has been a huge help."

Another team co-ordinator Marie Joseph said the project was also about kids learning skills in a relaxed environment.

"It gives families the chance to bring the whole family along, and we have been lucky as well to have older players from Whanganui High School and Palmerston North Manukura volunteer to help."