For Melton star Ivan Harris, basketball represents a lot more than just a game; it’s given him opportunities he wouldn’t have got otherwise.
It was through basketball that Harris got his four-year college education. He’s also had the opportunity to travel his home country, the US, and the world. And the players he’s shared a court with include the great LeBron James.
Inspired by this background, he founded the Hoop Stars Academy to give children the same chances he had.
The first academy program involved 20 children at Caroline Springs.
Now Harris and his partner Francesca Karalexis are running a free 16-week extensive youth empowerment program in Melton. It focuses not just on basketball but, importantly, off-court issues as well.
This time, registrations to try out for the free academy reached 120 and the pair had to close registrations early.
Sixty children will take part in the Melton program and plans for a second program to run straight after it are already in the works.
Harris says his main aim is to give children something to do so they don’t end up on the streets.
“I want to give them a pathway, not necessarily just for basketball but also their education.
“Basketball is the platform to get kids involved and you go from there.
“Maybe it’s their education. Maybe they want to be a referee or coach … it provides a pathway.
“It’s for kids who don’t have the opportunity to play and are less fortunate. I think it’s a good opportunity to get them off the streets and give them a sense of awareness.”
Harris’s experiences growing up form a huge part of the program. He’s not just a teacher or coach; he’s also a mentor.
“I speak about the barriers I had to get through to get where I am,” he says.
“Basketball was something to keep me busy and out of trouble.
“With basketball I got into school and got a scholarship. Without basketball being my platform I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
“Without mentors, people struggle to get to the next level. I can relate to a lot of things that I’ve gone through and barriers I crossed.”
Harris, who also volunteers at a Melton youth centre, says that as well as providing his own advice, the academy has other people involved in running a drug and alcohol workshop. There will be a coach-to-coach workshop and motivational speakers.
Harris says violence is another issue they will address.
“There’s a lot of violence and I think it comes from not keeping busy. If you have something like this or a youth centre it can keep them out of trouble.
“The opportunity is there to hang out with other kids and play the computer, play pool, and there’s a basketball ring out the back. Somewhere they can hang.”
The Melton community has got behind the clinic, with several Melton players getting involved to help with training and skills sessions.
“Melton took me in as a player,” Harris says. “I feel like they’re my family. I’ve built a relationship here with the kids going to different camps and clinics. I would do anything for any of these kids, the committee and the community. It’s always good to have the support from the community and my teammates.”
Harris plans to continue expanding the program, giving more children the chance to take part.
“The first program was in Caroline Springs and I want to take it back to there,” he said. “I also want to take it out to Werribee and run the program through the whole west. I want to provide an avenue and some positive vibes.”
