The community of Kempsey cemented its reputation as the number one location for the Vibe 3on3® this month, as the travelling basketball and hip hop festival returned to the town for the fourth time.

The community was out in force for the event, with 90 teams registering to participate in the structured 3on3 basketball, hip hop, breakdancing, art and health activities over the weekend of March 3 and 4.

Mother Nature provided the festival with two days of perfect summer weather, from the opening ceremony which featured the Dunghutti dancers to the final competition of the weekend – the highly popular break-off, where participants get the chance to show off their breakdance moves.

Local dignitaries Betty Green, Mayor of Kempsey Shire and Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker MP attended to show their support for the event. Football legend Ricky Walford and Australian touch football champion Bo de la Cruz were also on hand to meet with the locals and encourage the young people of Kempsey to reach their full potential.

However, the most special people to attend on the weekend were the army of volunteers, who worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly.

“The Kempsey 3on3 could not have been the huge success it was without the help of the many volunteers who gave their time all weekend long,” said 3on3 coordinator Claude Williams. “The energy and enthusiasm they displayed was truly awesome.”

A special component of this event was the Ditch the Durries Rap Competition, which saw participants writing and recording their own raps about the harmful effects of smoking on young bodies and the community as a whole.

“The rap competition was a real highlight,” said 3on3 executive producer Gavin Jones. “The young people of Kempsey certainly have the music in them – they displayed heaps of natural talent.”

You can listen to the competition winners’ raps at www.vibe.com.au/quitnow.

The local AMS ran a health expo at the event, to raise awareness of health issues and showcase their services, and a special health unit was also on site, run by Partnership in Aboriginal Care. The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority also joined in the fun, handing out showbags to the young people of the area.

As well as the huge turnout of young people from Kempsey, participants also travelled from Port Macquarie, Taree, Nambucca Heads, Bowraville and South West Rocks to take part.

“Kempsey is firmly placed as a 3on3 favourite location,” Gavin said. “The event in Kempsey is the way the 3on3 should be – lots of kids, lots of activity, great music and genuine community support.”

The Vibe 3on3® is a two day Aboriginal youth weekend festival that incorporates basketball, dancing, art, culture and health. We aim to promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen communities and boost self-esteem. The Vibe 3on3™ is also an excellent opportunity for health services and related organisations to introduce themselves to the wider community. For more information, go to www.vibe.com.au

The Vibe 3on3® would not be possible without our sponsors Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation, the Department of Health and Ageing through the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Alcohol Rehabilitation and Education Foundation.

Local sponsors who helped make the Kempsey 3on3 possible were Kempsey Shire Council, Kempsey Library, Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service, Kempsey Macleay RSL Club, Burrun Dalai, Macleay Valley Youth Accommodation, Partnership in Aboriginal Care and the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation. A special thank you goes to Ruth Waite from Kempsey Library.

WINNERS

Boys U10 SKB Mark Kennedy Wayne Elliot Jarrod Ritchie Wesley Breton Presenter: Ruth Waite	Boys U12 All Black Cousins Kevin Roberts Elwin Roberts Gary Dungoo Troy Clarke Presenter: Michael Foxwell
Boys U14 Kempsey Pitballs Harold Widders Jonathan Duffy Jordan Kalley-Scholls Graham Roberts Presenter: Greg Hehir	Boys U16 Low Riders Vincent Davis Kenneth Dixon Ty Quilan Johnothan Hotten Presenter: Evelyn Jacobs
Boys U18 Battlers Craig Taylor Dennis Ritchie Mike Flanders Redge Valez Presenter: Mavis Davis	Boys Open Raidors Gary Mcloud Reco French Michael Davis Reece Waite Presenter: Gerarld Bradshaw
Girls U10 Sista Licious Nakia Davis – Welsh Madeline Lardner Brittany Ritchie Lakaree Smith Presenter: Mavis Symonds	Girls U12 Triple J Georgina Cohen Kantarli Bolt Kara Tobie Shaniah Dixon Presenter:Helen Lambert
Girls U14 Tiddalicious Stephanie Donavan Tia-Kea Morris Madeline Waters Emma Anderson Presenter: Vinnie Cook	Girls U16 2 Sly Amelia Daley Kenalee Smith Natahlia Holten Jemma Button Presenter:Colleen Campbell
Girls Open BB Girls Trista Taylor Malika Moylan Kiralee Mosley Katrina Riley Presenter: Suzanne Parsons	Boys Breakoff Darcy Roberts (1st) Jarad Ritch (2nd) Shane Morcome (3rd) Presenter: Isaac Parsons
Girls Breakoff Jay Roberts (1st) Kalana Fernando (2nd) Jakaya Dixon (3rd) Presenter: Rachael Kontominos	Girls Rap 2 Sly Amelia Daley Kenalee Smith Natahlia Smith Jemita Smith Presenter: Jerome Shedden

Boys Rap Shane Holten Presenter: Warrick & Abie Wright	Best Team Card 2 Sly Amelia Daley Kenalee Smith Natahlia Smith Jemita Smith Presenter: Pauline Wright
Puggy Hunter Kimberly Kershaw Presenter: Madam Mayor Betty Green

Tags: Kempsey, New South Wales, Vibe 3on3