Basketball Australia operates in a highly competitive and continuously changing national and global landscape.
At all levels, the standard of competition is rising and the launch of a revitalised AUS Basketball Foundation provides a mechanism for everyone to directly contribute to outcomes.
The new foundation has been developed over an extended period of consultation, with a refined contemporary model which Tristan Russell, General Manager of Government & International Relations believes will enable greater support across its five key pillars.
“We are delighted to launch the reinvigorated, AUS Basketball Foundation,” said Russell.
“From High Performance, our national teams to Australia's world-leading ID teams to grassroots development and much more, the AUS Basketball Foundation will play a stronger role supporting Basketball Australia’s philanthropic and for-purpose strategies with targeted campaigns and engaging fundraising activities.
Jerril Rechter AM, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Foundation added detail to the foundation announcement.
“This next phase of the AUS Basketball Foundation reflects the momentum behind basketball and a coordinated approach to growing the sport across Australia, from grassroots participation through to national teams and key programs,” said Rechter.
“For a sport with this level of reach, that alignment creates a powerful platform for philanthropy. It’s exciting to see a model that will help unlock greater donations and connect more supporters to the game, in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation.”
The five pillars are unique and will address modern challenges and opportunities across areas including; Intellectually Disabled & Para Teams, First Nations, High Performance, Women & Girls and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD).
Each pillar will have its own working group and funding mechanism with a single goal. To provide Australian basketball with the resources to excel and be the best.
All contributors will be brought into the inner sanctum and become a part of the AUS Basketball family as we evolve. For information and donation details, click through to the Australian Sports Foundation portal here.
A snapshot of the pillars with more detail is outlined below
ID & PARA TEAMS.
One of the greatest facets of basketball is the variety of formats available for all Australians.
The Australian Pearls & Boomerangs (ID) programs have some of the most talented players in the format in the world, but there are gaps in resources to elevate the programs to next level.
Similarly, the Rollers and Gliders senior wheelchair teams are synonymous with winning medals at Paralympic Tournaments. Similarly, there is a lag in available resources compared to the rest of the world, particularly USA and Europe.
This funding pillar will directly support ID and para-athletes to access participation and specific needs as well as fund operations to compete internationally.
FIRST NATIONS
Some of the greatest stars to represent Australia come from First Nations communities. Unfortunately, like all sporting codes in Australia, access and participation for organised sports programs is demonstrable lower for First Nations athletes.
According to AusPlay 2023 – 2025 data, 7.2% of adults and 12.59% of children within the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander population are active participants in basketball. The data suggest that a connection to the game is strong, with over 50% of those who participate, opting to do so by hitting courts on their own or with friends. However, the greatest disadvantages remain with access with costs and transport listed as the greatest barriers across all age groups.
This funding pillar will directly support the development of First Nations participation programs and ensure cultural engagement measures are in built.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
High Performance is the engine room of Australia’s national teams and the key to success at international summits. We regularly witness the Boomers, Opals going ferociously competing with the world’s best at FIBA and Olympic tournaments. There is also a decade of outstanding outcomes driven from the Centre of Excellence and the AUS Junior National teams.
True to the Aussie spirit, our national teams and programs do this on a fraction of the budget in comparison to the global basketball powerhouses. This will always be the expectation. But this pillar now allows stakeholders to directly contribute to the success of our national programs.
This funding pillar will be managed directly into operations, athlete support and Australia’s ascendance to the pinnacle of international basketball. Similarly to the booster model in US college basketball, there will be a framework for investors to receive unrivalled access and benefits for their support.
WOMEN & GIRLS
Participation of basketball for women and girls in Australia is booming. Basketball is a sport of choice for girls and women across the country and the opportunities in the game continue to expand globally.
The reality is that the level of access and resourced required to continue this growth need to expand with it.
This pillar will directly fund initiatives that increase the support available for women & girls that want to participate and be involved in the game. This will be driven through the landmark She hoops initiative and power their Women & Girls and Indigenous Leadership programs.
CALD COMMUNITIES
Basketball is an international game, giving everyone the opportunity to play regardless of culture and background.
Australian basketball enjoys incredible cultural diversity at every level - so the AUS Basketball Foundation will develop specific campaigns and programs to support everyone to access the game. This pillar will be driven by respected and experienced leaders, with dedicated community outreach and participation programs.
If you are an interested stakeholder or want to know more information related the AUS Basketball Foundation, get in contact with your query here info@australia.basketball
