is Victorian Premier Ben Carroll really serious about youth basketball ?

Premier Ben Carroll visited the Cobblebank basketball program on Tuesday15 September 2026, reaffirming his government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that steer young people away from negative influences. Speaking at the stadium, Carroll said, “Programs like Airtime Cobblebank Basketball keeps kids away from bad influences. That’s why we’re investing in programs like this across Victoria to prevent crime before it starts.”. His visit underscored the government’s broader strategy, which includes over $30 million in prevention and mentoring programs designed to intervene before young people are drawn into the justice system. Carroll’s message was clear: programs like Airtime Cobblebank are not just about sport—they are about shaping minds for positive goals and giving young people the tools to win in life.

In a community still grieving, a basketball program is quietly doing the work of healing. The Airtime Cobblebank Basketball initiative, operating out of the Cobblebank Indoor Stadium in Melbourne’s outer west, has become more than just a place to shoot hoops. For the young people who walk through its doors, it is a lifeline—a structured, positive environment designed to keep them away from the bad influences that have claimed too much from this community.

The program is a key part of a broader $10 million Victorian government investment in youth crime prevention, specifically targeting communities most affected by youth crime. It was established as one of 17 new violence prevention projects, offering young people a positive place to connect while providing data-driven, intelligence-led support. For Melton, a region that has been identified as a hotspot for youth gang activity, the program is not just an extracurricular activity—it is a strategic intervention.

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll visiting the Cobblebank Basketball club in Melton (Photo source: Linked in video)

The need for such intervention was made devastatingly clear in September 2025, when two boys, Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were ambushed and killed while walking home from a basketball game at the Cobblebank Stadium. The tragedy shook the community to its core and prompted the Victorian Premier to acknowledge that more needed to be done. In the aftermath, frontline youth workers noted that efforts to boost youth engagement and crime prevention programs—the very kind that can stop teens from falling through the cracks—had been insufficient.

Airtime Cobblebank is a direct response to that need. The program is run by the Airtime Assist Foundation, a charity founded by basketball journalist and scout Michael Houben, whose vision was to build something “about so much more than basketball.” The foundation focuses on creating employment pathways for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, turning engagement into real opportunity.

The program’s model is built on a simple but powerful premise: personal development through sport. Participants are not just learning to dribble and shoot; they are learning discipline, teamwork, and the value of showing up for something bigger than themselves. As one social media post from the organisation puts it, “At Airtime, we’re proud of participant’s on-court achievements and growth, but ultimately, seeing the personal development of those engaged in the program is our charities ultimate mission.”

That mission extends far beyond the court. Through a partnership with Wilson Security, Airtime athletes have been able to earn their Certificate II in Security Operations, unlocking access to flexible work that can fit around their basketball commitments and grow into a genuine career.The training was funded entirely by Wilson Security, meaning every young person involved could access the course completely free. It is a model of collaboration that demonstrates what can happen when businesses, charities, and government work together.

A young victorian basketball team in Melbourne

The impact of this approach is being noticed at the highest levels. Wilson Security’s Chief Operating Officer, Nicholas Schijf, spoke with 9 News Melbourne about why employment pathways matter and how programs like Airtime create impact beyond the court. The media spotlight has helped shine a light on the program’s work, but for the young people involved, the real victories are personal. They are learning that winning in life is not just about the scoreboard—it is about building confidence, skills, and a sense of direction.

In a community that has known too much loss, Airtime Cobblebank stands as a testament to what is possible when young people are given the right support at the right time. It is a place where the next generation is not just kept off the streets, but actively shaped for positive goals—one training session, one qualification, one personal breakthrough at a time. The work is far from over, but on the courts of Cobblebank, the game is changing lives.