Big Shout out to Coach Mike and the young Lions players than ran this event.

More than 50 young people from across Scotland came together at Inverness Royal Academy on Monday 13 July for Hoops Without Borders, an innovative basketball festival designed to empower, connect and inspire care-experienced young people through the power of sport.

Organised by High Life Highland in partnership with The Highland Council’s Social Work Service, and delivered with support from the Scottish Government’s Summer of Sport initiative, the event brought together looked after and accommodated young people from communities across the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Dundee and the Scottish Borders for a day centred on sport, friendship and cultural exchange.

A day built on connection and confidence. Using basketball as a way to bring people together, the festival gave participants the chance to build confidence, improve their wellbeing and develop positive relationships, all while embracing values closely associated with the Commonwealth Games: humanity, equality and destiny.

Elizabeth McDonald, Leadership Programme Development Officer with High Life Highland, said:

“We are so incredibly grateful to Michael Sharkey from Inverness Lions Basketball Club for planning and delivering all the sessions at our Hoops Without Borders event – it was an incredibly busy day. We had young people taking part in basketball skills sessions, fun games and challenges, team activities, friendly competitions and youth leadership opportunities, helping to break down cultural barriers, strengthen connections and create positive experiences through physical activity. The atmosphere was amazing.”

Cllr David Fraser, Highland Council’s Chair of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, said bringing together young people from different backgrounds alongside local organisations, support workers, volunteers and community partners would help strengthen community connections and foster a greater sense of belonging for these young people.

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