Posted on 12 December, 2009

ANZ began their partnership with Kilsyth Basketball in 2007 and developed the successful kidsfirst program. They have contributed over $60,000 towards the program over the past three years and supported some 50 local primary schools by creating a future of physical and financial fitness.  Over 60,000 primary school aged children have participated in basketball clinics conducted by the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras, 5,000 children have been involved in financial fitness sessions and 6,000 local prep children have received a free ANZ/Kilsyth Cobras basketball.

Over the life of the program, the vision from which it was created have been evident; to add value to the school community through creating a future of physical and financial fitness, to introduce children to the great game of basketball, to provide every prep student with a basketball and to run the program at no cost to the school.

Kilsyth and Mountain District Basketball Association (K&MDBA) President Malcolm Allison was thankful to ANZ for their valuable support of the community over the past three years.

“Garry Conner and his team at ANZ have been outstanding contributors to the local community, the K&MDBA is grateful for the support they have provided in turning a vision three years ago into a successful program.”

“Without the support of ANZ we would not have been able to begin the kidsfirst program.  We will now embark on a thorough search for a new partner so that we can continue to run the program to its full potential,” said Allison.

Garry Conner states that whilst the decision to withdraw the funding for the kidsfirst program was an extremely difficult one, he acknowledges that ANZ is also a significant contributor to community funding in general where they have significantly supported families / communities with other important initiatives, including providing significant funding.

“We are extremely proud of how the kidsfirst program has touched the hearts and minds of many thousands of primary school children and hope that the learning’s that have been offered will stay with them for years to come into their adult life,” said Conner. “He concluded by stating that the K&MBDA staff have been an amazing support to the program.”

The K&MDBA thank Garry Conner and ANZ for their support over the past three years and will now begin the search for a new partner to share in the vision of supporting the community through the kidsfirst Program in 2010 and beyond.

“We encourage any organisation who would like to partner us in supporting local primary school aged children in the community to contact us to discuss partnership opportunities,” concluded Allison.

For more information on the Kids First program please visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au or to enquire about partnership opportunities please contact Ben Turner on 03 9728 1033.