Kirron scores big with community basketball club

Kirron Byrne has scored in more ways than just the net with his program dedicated to helping disadvantaged people in the community.

Kirron Byrne (right) and some of the members of his basketball program.

KIRRON Byrne has combined his skills and passions to create something that has become invaluable to the community.

Mr Byrne who is a trained psychologist and sport-enthusiast is the co-founder of a free basketball program for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He said he and friend Andrew Ebrington developed the idea a decade ago which had now grown to attract almost 200 people.

$1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. Min. cost $4

“Our basketball program is totally inclusive, basically anyone can come and do it so from anywhere in the community, we’re super diverse,” he said.

“Boys and girls train together, we have a lot of refugees straight out of Naru, a lot of Sudanese kids, along with Australian kids and kids with disabilities all training together.

The program is run out of St James College but is open to everyone from all ages and backgrounds.

Mr Byrne said the sessions which he would run approximately eight time a week were about more than just teaching basketball.

“We provide food after training on Saturday, a lot of the kids are from lower socio-economic backgrounds so we try and provide whatever they need from shoes and uniforms to transport,” he said.

“We provide a lot of love and support, and financial and transport support where they need, and it’s been really successful.

“It’s been great for the kids and it keeps growing - the numbers are overwhelming at the moment which is another challenge - but it’s really cool.

“We give them a sense of belonging, everyone knows each other and it’s a comfortable and safe space to be in.

“We’ve had so many kids excel outside of this and seeing their growth and confidence in themselves to do more is just amazing.”

Mr Byrne said he felt honoured to have been nominated for a Pride of Australia award but the greatest satisfaction was seeing his students grow.

“When you do something like this that helps so many people, that’s really the reward you’re looking for,” he said.

Now in their 15th year, the Pride of Australia awards seek to unearth and honour ordinary Australians who make an extraordinary contribution to communities.

News Corp Australia, publisher of The Courier-Mail and Quest Community News, is partnering with Australia Post and Seven News to stage the 2019 awards.

Nominations are open at prideofaustralia.com.au until October 21.