Basketball Australia is hosting an online event for clubs and associations this Wednesday 13 November to launch a new program, Ability Hoops, and establish pilot programs for Term 1 2025. 

Ability Hoops is a new program designed to provide children aged 8-12 years with intellectual disabilities a safe and inclusive environment to learn and enjoy basketball. This program has been developed through the Play Well Participation Grant Program, an Australian Sports Commission initiative, supported by the Australia Government, that will innovate or expand existing programs that address the barriers to participation and increase involvement in sport and physical activity. 

Ability Hoops focuses on participant-centred activities, ensuring that every child feels welcome and appropriately challenged. Our key objectives include creating a supportive atmosphere tailored to the unique needs of children with intellectual disabilities, maintaining a safe and friendly environment, and providing comprehensive training for coaches and volunteers to reduce stigma and foster understanding. 

Basketball Australia will host an information night online on Wednesday 13th November for anyone who is interested in hosting a pilot program in Term 1 2025. We are seeking expressions of interest from basketball clubs and associations interested in delivering a pilot program for this groundbreaking initiative. To register for the information night and/or to express your interest in hosting a pilot program, please complete the EOI form at the end of this article.

About Ability Hoops 

The Ability Hoops program is a Federal Government funded initiative, with the program structure, resources and training, all developed through consultation and engagement with both disability and sport industry expertise to ensure its appropriateness to meeting the needs of the participants. Ability Hoops is structured in a similar way to Aussie Hoops with sessions to run for 4-10 weeks and incorporates 45-minute sessions held once a week. Each session will ideally have a coach-to-participant ratio of 1:5, with a maximum of 15 participants per session. The first week will serve as a “Come and Try” event, introducing participants to coaches, equipment, and the court. Subsequent weeks will focus on progressive skills development, transitioning into modified small-sided games. 

To support the successful delivery of the pilot program, Basketball Australia will offer face-to-face or online induction and training for coaches, volunteers and administrators involved in the program. Additionally, Basketball Australia will provide ongoing support throughout the pilot to assist associations with any challenges and ensure the best possible experience for all participants. For the pilot programs, Basketball Australia will also be subsidising some of the costs associated with the delivery of the program and the some of the costs to the participants.  

Getting involved in the pilot programs 

For associations interested in being one of the 10-15 associations involved in the pilot program and seeking more information, Basketball Australia will be hosting an online information session at 7:00 PM AEST on Wednesday, 13 November 2024. This session will provide further details about the program and answer any questions you may have. To register for the Ability Hoops information session please click here. 

Applications 

Please submit your expression of interest by 18 November via the linked EOI form. For any questions or further information, we look forward to you joining us on the online information session, or alternately contact Sarah Gersbach through email, sarah.gersbach@basketball.australia. We look forward to working with you to make basketball more inclusive for all!