ROANOKE, Va. – A new season of Lea Youth Outdoor Basketball is underway and it’s not too late for players to get in on the fun.
This year the league will meet at a new location, Eureka Park. Opening night is Thursday, June 17 at 6 p.m. and will go to July 15.
This isn’t your ordinary co-ed basketball league, the coaches and referees are Roanoke City Police officers and practice includes skills youth can use off the court.
Players hear from guest speakers; the first one is Roanoke Police Chief Sam Roman. Other speakers include teachers, superintendents and even pro athletes from the area.
The point is to develop positive relationships between the police and players.
Chris Craft, a co-director for the league, is excited for the season to start back up so participating youth can see how much the community is in their corner.
“Kids love basketball, and a basketball is like a vehicle for us to motivate the kids to come out and meet the police officers, meet Mayor Lea, meet different people and know that there are people that care for them in this city,” said Craft.
It’s truly a community effort. Organizations like The Salvation Army are pitching in and giving out water and Gatorade. Food will also be provided during practice and games.
Mayor Sherman Lea, another co-director of the league, believes this program is beneficial to police. Officers get to personally interact with the community they serve. At the same time, officers along with other leaders are building players’ character, teaching them the importance of being a good community member and combating youth gun violence.
So far this year, there were six victims and one suspect of gunshot-related incidents that were under the age of 18. Last year, 11 people under the age of 18 were injured by gunfire and six minors were accused of being involved, according to RPD.
After taking a season off for the pandemic and last week’s shooting during William Fleming High School’s graduation practice, Mayor Lea wants to make sure the city’s youth and their families know there are programs working to make a difference.
“We’re not giving up on our youth and we’ve got other factors out there that’s trying to recruit and try to put them in bad situations, we don’t want any of that negativity. We’re going to keep working and doing what we do,” said Lea.
The league is free and you register on-site or you can email Chris Craft at chcraft@cox.net. For more information on the league, click here.