Colchester: Ballin’ with a Bobby is back!

Essex Police have teamed up with the Essex Rebels and Active Essex for a fourth consecutive year to provide free basketball sessions to communities in Colchester.

Ballin’ with a Bobby is open to boys and girls of school age and has proved enormously popular over its first three summers with 300 youngsters showing up to shoot some hoops and show off their skills.

The project, initiated by PC Dex Adams of the Colchester Community Policing Team, aims to keep young people active throughout the summer, divert them away from anti-social behaviour and crime, and build positive relationships with the police.

The Essex Rebels are a professional basketball club based at the University of Essex. This season, their Division 3 men’s team secured promotion after going undefeated and their Division 1 men’s team finished second in their league.

Their women’s team, who compete in the top tier of UK basketball, reached the final of the Betty Cordina Cup. They also have a successful community junior basketball programme.

PC Dex Adams said: “Over the last three years we have seen players from all backgrounds come together with the police, play sport and talk.

“I believe introducing children to a new sport and teaching them some basic skills to use at their local parks and will in turn help detract them from negative behaviours in their communities.

“Basketball has a strong culture and sense of community, and this is something we are seeing grow in our district.

“The young people get to meet and play with professional athletes some of whom have represented their countries who can inspire them not to give up, keep out of trouble and see where their journey will take them.

“This year our work with the university means we can offer more sessions across the summer and have a small tournament at the end of this year’s project.

“Everyone can come together, experience the professional facilities and be part of a great day. As police officers we want to integrate with our communities and young people, listen to them and most importantly understand the issues that affect them.”

The sessions are open to all children of primary and secondary school age. Come along and get involved!

Primary school children: 4:30-5:30pm

Secondary school children: 5:30-6:30pm

Thursday 6 June (indoor): St Helena School, Sheepen Road, CO3 3LL

Thursday 13 June (indoor):Changed to Thurstable School, Tiptree, CO5 0EL

Thursday 20 June (indoor): Changed to St Helena School, Sheepen Road, CO3 3LL

Thursday 4 July: The Glebe, West Mersea, CO5 8RS

Thursday 11 July: King George Playing Field, Wivenhoe, CO7 9AB

Thursday 18 July: Martin Hunt Drive, Lakelands/Stanway, CO3 8BL

Thursday 25 July: Magnolia Playing fields, Greenstead, CO4 3LP

Thursday 1 August: School Road, Monkwick, CO2 8NP

Thursday 8 August: Rowhedge recreation ground, Rowhedge, CO6 7HR

Thursday 15 August: Old Heath recreation ground, CO1 2ER

Register for the end of season tournament on Thursday 29 August here: Ballin with a Bobby Tournament (office.com)

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