Colchester police team up with professional basketball team
'Ballin with a Bobby' has been set up for children and teens to play and speak with police
Last updated 28th Jul 2021
Essex Police Colchester have teamed up with Essex Rebels Basketball, to run sessions for children and teens.
Essex police want to use sport to get to know people within the communities they serve.
They want people to go along and ask any questions around policing in Colchester they may have.
'Ballin with a Bobby' sessions will take place every Wednesday through the school holidays at Old Heath Recreation ground.
They were set to start from today (Wednesday 28 July), but the session has been cancelled because of the "poor weather".
The idea of the sessions is for teens and children to play against and with police, in a game of basketball, and then have the opportunity to ask the police any questions.
Stanley Kadzunge, Essex Rebels Basketball teams reach coordinator, told us that they had been out for a whole year because of the pandemic, so were keen to get back into community team work.
Colchester police contacted Kadzunge and his team for them to get involved to see if they could deliver basketball to the community.
PC Dex Adams, who has an interest in basketball, contacted him to ask if they wanted to collaborate together on this project.
Stanley Kadzunge, Sports Development Coordinator at The University of Essex said: “The whole purpose of the activities is to just start a conversation and sport is a great way to break down a barrier.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from in the world – anybody can participate in a sport and play in a team together.
“I think it is a great opportunity for both the police and a local professional sports team to work together to grow a great game, but also to promote togetherness within two different communities. That’s what it is all about – bringing people together and moving forward.
“The whole opportunity is that the kids can ask the police something. It’s not the police telling the kids what they do. The police are there to be open. Police that you’ve just been playing basketball with is very different to police in their uniform, which can be intimidating for some people.
“It gives the opportunity for a bit of fun for the community too. In the sessions we will be playing some drills and activities lead by the Essex Rebels. The police will play with and against the young people, allowing each party to talk to each other.
“Parents are also able to come down and ask questions. There is also a session we are trying to put together for young adults to, which I think will be a very different conversation to what the kids are having.”
The sessions are free and will take place from today (Wednesday 28 July), and every Wednesday until 1 September.
For year 7 – 11s: 4pm – 5pm and for teens who have left school, and adults: 5pm – 6pm.
The sessions will take place at Old Heath Recreation Ground Multi Use Area.
For more information go to www.facebook.com/EPColchester