The law of attraction..

Do you find yourself in situations where walk away from a conversation or argument and suddenly think of the perfect thing to say? I do. All. The. Time.

During the National Sudanese Basketball Tournament, as a member of the Big Bang Ballers, I was asked a few questions by a reporter for the Australian Sports Commission who wanted to know what clubs and associations could do to attract younger members of the Sudanese community.

My answer was that clubs should be putting on more events like the tournament to encourage further participation. Oh. My. Gosh. What terrible answer! I hope our CEO doesn't find out...

What I really wanted to say:

Clubs and associations should be more proactive in the process. Not simply send out a whole bunch of fliers into mailboxes around the state and hope for a turnout. They should be looking to take advantage of those members of the Sudanese community already participating in organised sport and get them involved. Ask them to approach their little cousins, sisters, brothers, friends, and friends of friends to join. In my experience with the Big Bang Ballers, it is often the case that youth will respond to invitations and initiatives from those they look up to.

So running skills camps focusing on teambuilding activities within the community would no doubt go a long way to achieving greater participation in organised team sports. Further, organise competitions in a way that facilitates learning and development. There is no point joining a club or association if the skill level required is far beyond what they possess. While challenges will inevitably come about, having a support structure in place for younger players will encourage those who feel intimited about joining a new club by their lonesome to participate.

Much better!

Big Bangs on 3!!!!

Me and The Big Bang Ballers

The last 8 months have been such a roller coaster of a ride that it seems like I have been part of this great NGO for years and that the people I have gotten to know and appreciate along the way have been friends of mine for a lifetime. Such is life when working in the field of international development...

If 8 months ago you told me that as a member of The Big Bang Ballers (Big Bangs) I would be travelling around the world running different activities and programs for kids using the game of basketball to tackle youth poverty and social disadvantage, I would have called your bluff. So much has happened within such a short space of time that my friends, family and colleagues can no longer keep up with the emails and correspondence I am constantly bombarding them with. Each and every day I share with them my experiences and thoughts about the joys and challenges of working in international development. In fact, similar to what Pierre Johannessen, our CEO, mentions on his personal blog, it seems I have spent so much time telling others what the Big Bangs are about that i'd forgotten to document the journey through my own eyes.

This is the part where I change all of that.

Follow me. I won't let you down.

Brian