This month we are excited to be celebrating 40 years of the RAID Basketball Program. Short for Recreational Activities for Intellectual Disabilities, RAID provides opportunities for the players to be part of a sporting team and to enjoy, not only the game itself, but the friendship, pride and confidence of being part of a team.

For those not privileged to have seen a RAID basketball game, they happen every Wednesday night and include about 30 players supported by 6 -10 student volunteers from Radford College, in the College’s gym. There are two games played, beginners and intermediate, and participants are placed into the game that best suits their level of skill and pace. RAID is a highlight of the week for our participants, which just in the last 5 years alone, has involved over 379 players of varying abilities.

Did you know we can thank YMCA for the invention of basketball?

Implemented in 1984, the program is actually part of a very long history the YMCA has with basketball. Did you know that basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr James Naismith of the YMCA Massachusetts? He came up with the sport as a way to keep people active and connected during the Winter months. Then fast forward to 1946, and it was the Y that introduced basketball to the Canberra Region community, along with table tennis, judo, and volleyball as social sports.

RAID partnership with Radford College

RAID Basketball wouldn’t be what it is today without our partnership with Radford College, which began in 2006. RAID offers the Radford College students the opportunity to volunteer at the program, promoting wholistic development, fostering leadership skills and nurturing a sense of community responsibility.

Kathleen Notley, Acting Director of Service Learning at Radford, supported the importance of the program when she said earlier this year, “The program’s focus on developing relationships between the RAID participants and our students has not only enriched the lives of the participating students but has also contributed to the overall well-being of our school community.”

End-of-year celebrations and thank you to our volunteers

Not only was this year’s end-of-year celebrations a special one, as we honour 40 years of the program, but it was also a great moment for us as an organisation to reflect on the contribution of our RAID volunteers that have made this program possible. Over the last 17+ years since the College and the Y Canberra decided to partner on RAID, we have had the support of over 570 volunteers from the Canberra community, of which are mostly current and past Radford students. Thank you to all of our volunteers, past and present, and the Radford College community that has also provided the space and resources to keep the program running for so long.

Looking to get involved?

Do you have a passion for basketball and supporting your local community? If you are interested in participating, volunteering or sponsoring our RAID program in 2025 please contact us at activey.canberra@ymca.org.au for more information.