RAID Basketball
Looking to join? Let us know!
RAID (Recreational Activities for People with Intellectual Disability) basketball is a program for people with an intellectual disability.
It provides participants with an opportunity to be part of a sporting team and to enjoy not only the game itself but the friendship, pride and confidence that come from being part of a team. The YMCA RAID program has been running
since 1984 and some of our participants have been involved for over 20 of those years. Participants are welcome to attend for the duration of the evening to watch and support players in the other game.
Looking to get involved? If you are interested in participating, volunteering or sponsoring our RAID program please contact us at activey.canberra@ymca.org.au.
Our programs
Raid Northside
When: Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Held at Radford College, Bruce
For: High School + Senior Participants
Cost: $120 p/term
Raid Southside
When: TBC
Where: Held at Marist College, Pearce
For: High School + Senior Participants
Cost: $120 p/term
Raid Youth
When: TBC
Where: TBC
For: Primary school students
Cost: $120 p/term
About
Once a week on a Wednesday night, up to 30 RAID participants and 6 – 10 volunteers from Radford College turn up to play basketball in the Radford College 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.
The game is played with modified rules to include all players in a team. The Radford student volunteers participate in the games, pass the ball around, coach, and partner up with participants who need that little bit of extra encouragement, pep talking and generally fostering a positive team spirit and ensuring each RAID player has equal participation.
The RAID participants are enthusiastic, noisy and competitive and for many it is the starting point of friendships that will have a significant impact on their lives. For some, this is the only social contact they have outside of their home and this opportunity to socialise is vital to reducing their sense of social isolation.
The YMCA partnership with Radford first started in 2006 when students in Radford’s Team Support Program started volunteering their time to assist with the inclusive basketball program. The presence of the Team Support students is invaluable as it infuses the program with meaningful camaraderie, friendship, fun and laughter.
Meet our staff
Connal Burslem
RAID Supervisor – Northside
Volunteer 2013-2016, Casual Officer 2017-2018, RAID Supervisor 2018-Present
Connal joined RAID Basketball in 2013 as a student volunteer and quickly fell in love with its inclusive, community-driven spirit. Over the years, he progressed from volunteer to team member and now leads the program as coordinator, helping it thrive through challenges while continuing to inspire participants on and off the court.
Patrick Knight
Community Development Coordinator – Head Office
Volunteer 2016-2019, Casual Officer 2020-2024, FTE 2024-Present
Patrick began volunteering with RAID Basketball in 2016, sparking a passion for inclusion and community-building. Fast forward 9 years and now he is the Community Development Coordinator at the Y Canberra Region, he leads health and wellbeing programs with energy, humour, and a strong belief in the power of people to create positive change.
Contact us
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