PCYC NSW celebrates NSW Youth Week amid Indigenous All-Stars program success

Amber Griffin

“From potential to purpose.”

Every year, youth charity PCYC NSW supports more than 13,000 young people to connect with their communities, get active, and find purpose through its life-changing youth programs across 64 club locations.

This year’s NSW Youth Week (16-26 April) theme is ‘Dream. Dare. Do.’ PCYC NSW is marking the occasion by welcoming home 10 talented First Nations basketball players aged 14 to 16, following a three-week tour of the United States.

The tour forms part of the inaugural PCYC NSW Indigenous All-Stars sporting pathways program. Players competed in junior varsity competitions, faced high‑calibre teams, and engaged with college and professional athletes.

Representing PCYC Lake Macquarie and the Awabakal Nation, 14-year-old Jarvis Watson said the opportunity has been life-changing, “To not only play basketball in the States but also travel America with PCYC has been a dream come true. Competing against junior varsity teams has made me a better player, and there have also been coaches scouting me to potentially come and play in Utah. I’m very proud to be Indigenous Australian, and I will remember this experience for the rest of my life.”

PCYC NSW CEO Ben Hobby said, “The education and mentorship element of the program is just as important as the sport. Being coached and tutored for an intensive period of time has fostered personal growth, confidence, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime beyond this tour.”

PCYC Programs Coordinator Courtney Poole joined the Indigenous All-Stars tour as a mentor, following her eight-year history with PCYC NSW.

“The highlight of the tour has been seeing what this experience means to the young people. Watching them take in opportunities that many of them never thought possible has been incredibly special,” said Courtney.

“PCYC gave me purpose at a time when I felt lost and unsure of what was next for me, volunteering to help with youth programs at PCYC Taree gave me a sense of direction and meaning. It helped me realise that I wanted to work with young people and support them in finding their own purpose. From there, I continued to grow and became a Programs Coordinator, something I never would have believed possible. PCYC has truly supported me to dream big, take risks, and turn those dreams into reality.”

PCYC youth programs like Indigenous All-Stars are made possible by donations and grants. Making a tax-deductible donation of more than $2 to PCYC NSW, or volunteering at your local club, can transform young lives

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PCYC NSW celebrates NSW Youth Week amid Indigenous All-Stars program success

Amber Griffin

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