Basketball Northants is a voluntary organisation promoting the sport of basketball.
I recently met Northampton’s home-grown professional basketballer Andre Arissol in Billing Road, Northampton to discuss the positive impact basketball can have on young people, including in deterring gang violence and other criminal activity.
Andre grew up in Northampton and progressed to playing basketball for the England Under 20 team- he now represents Worthing Thunder in the English Division One League.
We discussed the “Carry a Ball not a Knife” campaign, an education programme to educate young people to the dangers of knife crime and gang activity. Basketball sessions include educative aspects for young people to highlight these dangers and provide a positive alternative to such activities.
The campaign has been introduced to schools, with Andre recently visiting Delapre Primary School and delivering an address in an assembly, followed by a question and answer session with the pupils.
As a former barrister in criminal practice who previously prosecuted cases involving gang activity and knife crime, and of course as a former Attorney General and Solicitor General, I particularly welcome Andre’s skill in discussing the issues that young people face and bringing awareness to the issue.
The following article in the Chronicle and Echo contains further information on the group’s activities and their school visit:
It is excellent to see someone who grew up in Northampton excel in their sporting field and look to give back and help those in the local community.
The Basketball Association is looking to get in touch with school managers and teachers, in order to bring the campaign to more schools. If you know someone who is able to assist with this then please do contact me and I will put you in touch with Basketball Northants.
(Photo: Sir Michael Ellis MP with Northampton-born basketball professional Andre Arissol)