Thursday, 20 March 2025

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:48): (1489) My question is to the Minister for Community Sport, and I ask: Minister, will you provide the necessary immediate funding for Red Roo Sports in Dandenong, which is now being forced off its leased premises by the owner after 10 years, and a refurbishment with well-kept basketball courts and a party space in the building, which would cost about $350,000? The building’s owner is said to be having the premises demolished, probably due to this government’s painfully elevated land tax and rumours of obscene high-rise towers to replace it. I have been to see the Red Roo Sports in action. It is an amazing youth basketball program founded 10 years ago with the aim of giving underprivileged youth in the south-east credible mentors, coaching and time to play high-level competitive sports. At Red Roo teenage boys representing refugee and ethnic minority groups have the chance to get scholarships overseas and interstate. But what is truly impressive about this program is that it incorporates in its teachings character training and life skills needed for young people to excel both personally and professionally. Teams have been involved in the annual South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association tournaments in past summers and the young now excel in the Amateur Athletic Union Spring Madness national championship ring.