BIG BANG BALLERS

Using the game of basketball to fight youth poverty and social disadvantage worldwide.

The BIG BANGS, also known as the B(STAR)B’s, is an international NGO, using the game of basketball to tackle youth poverty and social disadvantage.

We are registering in Australia as a Not-For-Profit Company, bound by the governance and rules of the Commonwealth of Australia in our dealings with other companies, organisations and Countries.

Having originated in Bangladesh in late 2007, the B(STAR)B’s have successfully catered to over 5,000 children, along the way running camps at 3 orphanages and schools, running tournaments, providing “emergency packs” of food, water and clothing to the slums of Dhaka, creating Bangladesh’s first Basketball League, building courts and donating the equivalant of over AUD$10,000 worth of equipment and resources to deserving institutions and charities aimed at youth in just our 1st year of operations.

We are not seeking to replace other NGOs; we understand the immense task that NGOs undertake, and further value their experience and expertise in delivering aid and running programs targeting poverty from a variety of angles.  Our goal, rather, is to provide an outlet for those children least able to be children.  We seek to remove the inevitable divides between classes and social groups, and instead teach the importance and value of teamwork, as well as the incredible and often surprising benefits that sports has as a unifying and motivating element in an otherwise divided and unmotivated world.

We share our love and respect for the game and its teachings with all the kids we serve; we teach responsibility, loyalty, hard work and dedication, trust in each other and above all, respect towards others and pride in oneself.

Most of all, we let kids be kids.

Mission Statement

To use the game of basketball to unite children and their communities, overcoming social barriers and stigmas.

To support the work of NGOs and Charities through events, funding and awareness campaigns.

To use the game of basketball to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

To use the game of basketball to encourage the values listed below.

Vision

For children able to be children, with hope and courage and a sense of self worth, responsibility to each other and their community, and most of all with the capacity to dream big and reach for their goals no matter the obstacles.

Values

Teamwork.

Loyalty.

Sense of Self.

Sense of Community.

Responsibility to Yourself and Others.

Hard Work and Dedication.

Healthy, responsible lifestyle choices.

Acceptance of other’s beliefs and values.

Goals

Overcome social divides .

Develop future leaders .

Teach children to lead healthy, constructive, hopeful lives.

Organisational Structure

Board of Directors:
Pierre Johannessen
Julien Kerdoncuf
Rodrigue Monfort
Raja Siddique
Asiful Islam
Junad Chowdhury
Jaleh Johannessen
Jeff Knowles
Brian Familar
Ingmar Wagner
Ian Woodburn

Standards of Responsibility

Big Bang Ballers:

• Does not discriminate based on race, religion or sex;
• Does not discriminate based on social status, economic situation or political affiliation;
• Does not work for any other organisation or company;
• Will partner with any other organisations whose values and aims match those of the B(STAR)B’s;
• Is not affiliated with any religion, political view, or any one country.  Our Board of Directors, volunteers and staff represent their own countries, their own communities, but mostly the Big Bangs themselves.
• Believes in and upholds the fundamental human rights espoused in the United Nations Charter of Human Rights;
• Values the laws of and values of the countries in which we work;
• Is committed to protect the rights of children everywhere.

Code of Conduct

All agents of Big Bang Ballers must sign and adhere to the code of conduct in the by-laws.

Child Safety

The safety and care of children involved in B(STAR)B programs is paramount.  Big Bang Basketball is committed to the safety and rights of children, and will adhere to international covenants on the standard of care required when dealing with children.

Bribery and Corruption

BIG BANG BALLERS will not tolerate bribery, corruption, or any attempt to subvert the aims and values of the organization.

Accepting Gifts

BIG BANG BALLERS will not accept gifts or donations that may be construed as bribery, however any donations for the purpose of running activities, such as clothing or toys for kids, lunch for volunteers, beverages for the camps, or in-kind articles for distribution at BIG BANGS events are entirely acceptable, pending approval by the Board of Directors.