CASTRIES (Saint-Lucia) – The Net Blazers Basketball Club, led by President, Mia George and Program Co-ordinator and FIBA Foundation Youth Leader Petal Brown, is making a significant impact through the Bringing Buckets Home Program.
Supported by the FIBA Foundation through Propose a Project, the original initiative focused on transforming the local basketball court into a safe and sustainable space for youth engagement while introducing a structured sports program that empowers young athletes.
The community of Bexon, located in the rural southeast of Castries, is home to many families who struggle with limited recreational opportunities. As the home community of Program Coordinator Petal Brown, Bexon faces growing challenges with an increase in the number of young children who are becoming vulnerable to gang activity, with few positive role models or structured alternatives to crime and violence.
“This initiative is crucial for the community because it offers young people a positive alternative to crime and gang involvement. By providing mentorship, structure, and a sense of belonging through basketball, we aim to reduce violence and create a safer environment,” – expressed Brown.
Recognizing this pressing issue, the Bringing Buckets Home Program was re-designed and expanded to provide that required environment, offering a gateway from violence and crime to the local youth through Basketball.
The Basketball For Good project kicked off last October with a Bexon court cleanup and safety improvements to make it more functional. After washing the surface and fixing up the surroundings, the weekly training sessions began.
Through structured training sessions led by trained coaches, the Mini Hoops program introduced young athletes to fundamental basketball skills, fostering teamwork, discipline, and a passion for the sport.
With the support of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, and the Ministry of Education, the initiative reached 150 boys and girls aged 7-10 from seven primary schools across Bexon, Castries, and Gros-Islet, giving more youth access to professional coaching and structured basketball experiences.
On January 24th,2025, the Net Blazers Basketball Club held the first Bringing Buckets Home Mini Hoops Festival which gathered all the youth to one location to showcase the skills that they learned throughout the first term.
Beyond providing a safe recreational space, the project has had a lasting impact on youth development in the region. By involving local coaches, the initiative strengthens grassroots basketball development, ensuring that young athletes continue to benefit from structured training and mentorship while equipping them with valuable life skills that extend beyond the court.
To bring this initiative to life, the FIBA Foundation provided financial support to cover key expenses, 100 Molten basketballs for the program, and mentoring sessions to assist the organization of the project.
Do you have a project that uses basketball to impact communities? Submit your proposal to the Propose a Project platform and make a difference with the FIBA Foundation!
The application window is open until 28 February - Don't miss your chance!
Click here to bring your initiative to life!
***
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate, and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.
FIBA