A NEW club which aims to provide sport and support for Aboriginal youth has kicked off in Bathurst.
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The Bathurst Aboriginal Sport and Social Club (BASS) was recently formed to offer support to those fortunate enough to be chosen for representative duties in their given sport.
Chairman Colin Locke said the club wanted to encourage more Aboriginal youth to get involved in sport.
Mr Locke said he came up with the idea for a club a number of years ago.
“I saw a need to get some of the [Aboriginal] kids more interested in sport and keep them busy,” he said.
“We want to encourage them to get more involved and foster those with talent and send them into competitions.”
He said the club would also run social events to create opportunities for the entire indigenous community to come together.
Mr Locke, who was elected chairman at the club’s inaugural annual general meeting on March 10, said the club hoped to enter rugby league, netball and cricket teams into competitions next year.
“The biggest interest is in rugby league, where it (the club) is expected to enter teams in 2015 from under 8s to under 16s, along with the possibility of a men’s team in the second division competition.
“There is also a lot who like netball, along with cricket, and we’re open to any other sport our children choose to participate in.”
He said the club would provide an opportunity for indigenous people to gather and play on the one team.
“We just want to create some more community pride and help boost self-esteem.”
“We want them to have good outcomes, to have happy and healthy lives.”
He said while the club would be targeting Aboriginal youth, anyone would be welcome to join.
Mr Locke said that there was a small but enthusiastic group an the annual general meeting. He said Gwen Bugg was elected unopposed as secretary and the club had a very strong working committee, made up of Joanne Bugg, Joey Hull, Brian Burke and Joe Bugg.
“We’ve been planning the formation of the new club for six months,” Mr Locke said. “We are aiming to provide social functions to bring the entire community together in harmony.”
Mr Locke said they would spend the remainder of this year building the club up and running social and fundraising functions in order to gain a strong membership.
“By the end of this year we hope to have teams ready for summer sport and then winter sports early in 2015,” he said.
“Our next meeting is planned for March 24 at the Bathurst City Community Club at 6pm where we hope to then elect our foundation treasurer.”
Mr Locke said anyone who was interested in becoming part of the sub-committee or a member of the club was welcome to attend the meeting. Anyone interested in joining the club or who has an inquiry can call Colin Locke on 0405 073 559 after 5pm.
