In its new major report which settles on Vrai Thursday, the team of the “24 hours” is interested in community sports programs, more particularly in Montreal Prosects.
This summer basketball program, which is aimed at young people aged 12 to 18 living in the northeast of the city, not only helps to transmit positive values and create a feeling of communion, but also to develop the talent of young players. It gives them visibility so that they can reach the highest competitive levels and receive scholarships to pursue their career in the United States, for example.
For the consultant and researcher in violence prevention Audrey Monette, this kind of sports programs are effective in combating outbreaks of violent events “because beyond the sport, this kind of program creates a feeling of belonging to the within a team and promotes the long-term ability of young people to make more positive choices,” she explains in the report.
In addition to teaching a form of discipline, sports programs are a source of motivation among young people and give them a place to gather.
“Basketball is a lot bigger than getting to the NBA. You are part of a family, you are part of a team. It builds your character. That helps you maneuver life after,” also mentions basketball player Ricky Volcy, coach and co-founder of Montreal Prospects.
The latter, who plays for the Saint John Mill Rats in the National Basketball League of Canada (LNB), himself had a great college career at Northern Michigan University where he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. He now wants to allow others to follow in his footsteps, but also to change the negative image of neighborhoods in eastern Montreal.
With each incident involving a firearm, there is an underlying problem, raises the mayor of the borough of Montreal-North, Christine Black, in the report of “24 hours”. She also adds that the revaluation of the community is part of the solution to tackle this problem.
The redistribution of resources from the defunding of the police, for example, towards services and sectors that would be better equipped to respond to certain social problems would make it possible to combat the rise in violence, but also stereotypes and stigmatizing discourse, on neighbourhoods, its inhabitants and the family situation of certain people.
The defunding of the police, which amounts to better redistributing the money in programs aimed at promoting young people, such as the Montreal Prospects basketball program.
This summer, the Montreal Prospects program will join the American XL Grassroots circuit, which offers players the chance to evolve in front of recruiters from the best schools in the United States. In addition, a women’s program will also see the light of day this summer.
“Basketball: Aim High” settles on True as of Thursday.
