Inverness Crime Prevention Panel » blue

Twilight Basketball events launched in Inverness

editor — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:53:23 +0000

Scottish Rocks Basketball

Scottish Rocks team to launch Twilight Basketball events in Inverness

Do you have what it takes to be the next NBA all-star? Is there a Michael Jordan out there just waiting to be discovered?

Youngsters in Inverness are being offered the chance to find out if they can Be Like Mike when the all new Twilight Basketball scheme jumps off on Friday at Inverness College, Longman Campus, between 1800 and 2000.

Twilight Basketball is a multi-agency initiative backed by Northern Constabulary and co-ordinated by Scottish Sports Futures, with support from Basketball Scotland, Merkinch Partnership, Cashback for Communities, Inverness Crime Prevention Panel and Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands and of course Scotland’s very own pro basketball team the Scottish Rocks.

The event will take place every week at the college between 1800 and 2000 and is open to all youngsters aged between 11 and 21.

Friday’s launch will be attended by members of the Scottish Rocks team, Scott Russell and Chi Lewis Parry and there will be games and prizes. The Rockettes cheerleader team will also be there on Friday to add even more colour and fun to the event.

Northern Constabulary’s Youth Development Officer, PC Rosanna MacSween, said:
“The scheme is aimed at all youngsters between the ages of 11 and 21 and it is hoped that we can also attract those on the fringes of criminal behaviour. By doing this we can address issues of anti-social behaviour in some areas of the city.

The sessions, which run over a 40 week period, will teach youngsters about the importance of team building and provide a safe environment for them to express themselves through sport.

Jim Ferguson, Chairman of Inverness Crime Prevention Panel and also Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands said:

“We are delighted to support this initiative and our Board Members are heavily involved with assisting with Blue Light Events and other youth related initiatives. We will continue to work with Northern Constabulary and Highland Council with a view to establishing similar events in the outer Inverness and rural areas.

A problem we constantly face is the availability of suitable premises to enable youth events to take place and we welcome any suggestions from community areas and businesses to assist with resolving this issue”.

It is hoped that basketball teams will even have their own strips with their names on the back, just like their colleagues in the pro ranks. In the future organisers hope to establish a local tournament and a Scotland wide tournament for those who take part.

About the Scottish Rocks basketball team

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Blue Light Discos – Inverness Highlands Scotland

editor — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:59:33 +0000

Blue Light Events

Blue Light Discos are to be set up on a monthly basis next year for the enjoyment of young people aged between 13 and 16 throughout 2009 at different venues.

The next event is to be held is a Disco on Saturday, 1st November at Spectrum Centre between 7 -10.30pm. Entrance Â£1

Please come along to the Blue Light Discos and meet your friends and dance the night away.

Where else can you go for a fantastic fun evenings in a safe friendly fun environment for Â£1?

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Organisations such as United Youth Group, Crimestoppers, Inverness BID, Brook, Street Pastors, Highland Council, ICPP, Youth Inclusive and Fire and Rescue Service support teams are also working to make this project a success.

The aim is to create a safe environment for young people aged 13 to 16 to enjoy themselves. Discos, Breakdancing lessons and instruction on how to use music decks whilst learning how to be a DJ will be some of the activities available. There are Football events to be planned for the future.

The police and youth workers will be on hand throughout the evening to make sure everyone has a good time in a safe and friendly environment. Police will conduct searches and take a breath test for all people coming in to make sure Inverness’s first Blue Light Disco is a success for all.

Northern Constabulary:

Northern Constabulary strongly supports and welcomes this youth initiative and its aim of providing an event, which is free of alcohol and drugs, to enable our local young people to enjoy themselves safely. There is clear evidence from other areas where Blue Light Disco are run, that they contribute to reducing the number of young people becoming involved in unacceptable behaviour.

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Blue Light Discos for under 18s in a Night Club Environment!

editor — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:48:14 +0000

Inverness United Youth Group are delighted announce the start of “Blue Light Events” in Inverness Scotland. They will be run with the assistance of Stefan Krause who is the Bid Manager for Inverness and support from Northern Constabulary.

Organisations such as Crimestoppers, SafeInverness, Drug and Alcohol Forum, Street Pastors, Youth Development Officers, Youth Inclusive and Fire and Rescue Service support teams are also working to make this project a success.

The first event is to be held on the 11th July at the Ironworks

Starting from 5 in the evening, young people can come along to the Ironworks and join in break dancing classes or indoor sports – and all this is FREE but places are limited.

Young people can call 01463 714550 or text their name to 0794 2020773 to reserve places. Disco starts at 7pm, with an admission fee of just Â£1.

A second event will be held at the Spectrum Centre on 16th August.

Chief Inspector Ian Cox said:
“This initiative is totally supported by the Police and partners in creating safe environments for young people to spend recreational time in.
It embraces pursuits they are interested in and want to do, we earnestly hope that young people will attend and from a positive experience spread the word amongst their peers that this is worthwhile”.

Northern Constabulary:
Northern Constabulary strongly supports and welcomes this youth initiative and its aim of providing an event, which is free of alcohol and drugs, to enable our local young people to enjoy themselves safely. There is clear evidence from other areas where Blue Light Disco are run, that they contribute to reducing the number of young people becoming involved in unacceptable behaviour

BID Manager Stefan Krause commented.

The Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) team has worked with young people, the Princes Trust, the Police and other agencies help them get this new event off the ground.

We surveyed young people and found they really wanted more constructive things to do around the city centre. We hope that the Blue Light disco will be a positive diversion for them, that everyone will have a good time and will ask for more of this kind of event in the future

Jim Ferguson, Chair of ICPP and Crimestoppers Highlands said:

“I am very happy to support the objectives of this initiative. A safe Disco for our local young people to enjoy is long overdue.

Inverness Crime Prevention Panel and Crimestoppers Highlands are also delighted to support this worthwhile event. Young teens will be able to go dancing with their friends and take part in activities in a supervised environment. We hope the Bluelight Events become regular and well attended

Douglas Wynd Safeinverness Co-ordinator is pleased to see this type of event in Inverness; it is within the grasp of the strong group of supporters who have come together now to make these events a success locally and I am pleased to support them in this project.

DJ Dragon who will be playing from 7pm

“This’ll be our night out. Designed by young people for young people, but policed to make sure it’s safe and fun for everyone”.

Mark Hadfield, Street Pastors Coordinator said:

The “Bluelight” Discos are an excellent idea and I’m pleased that we’re able to contribute something to the mix. I hope that we can all work together to give young people an event that they’ll love and be proud of their achievements, in an environment, which is not only safe but which promotes safe life choices in a genuinely caring way.

Drew Kuzma, Project Director, Youth Inclusive:

Youth Inclusive is keen to support a fun and safe youth event that will encourage the working together of various agencies and see youth from all areas of Inverness come together and enjoy themselves.

Shahbaz Khalid, United Youth Group:

We achieved three Prince’s Trust Community Cash Awards for DJ sessions, Breakdance courses and Sport activities. We are very delighted that agencies, the business community, Youth Forum and council are supporting us to organise this first event. It’s our goal to get a permanent and safe space in the city centre where the youth can meet, enjoy themselves and have some fun.

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