The Aboriginal Basketball Academy (ABA) mission is to enrich the lives of Aboriginal basketball student athletes, by providing life development skills and opportunities to further their education through the game of basketball. It is our goal to assist Aboriginal students in becoming valuable and valued contributors to their communities by enrolling and participating in our programs.

The basketball environment in Aboriginal communities in Australia is filled with raw talent that demonstrates the passion and desire to improve their basketball intelligence while advancing their academic development.

Basketball development in Aboriginal communities is very much disadvantaged, largely in part due to the limited knowledge of the game and the technical and tactical side of the game of basketball. Because of this, Aboriginal communities are behind in the current methodology used and needed in teaching the game, putting us at a disadvantage to effectively compete globally. In addition, limited facilities and the high associated expenses to rent facilities, present a challenge in furthering the development of local student athletes. 

ABA is committed to the development of Aboriginal student athletes. We have a wide range of networks and a comprehensive list of resources and supports. These resources and supports have helped to build the infrastructure that supports development initiatives, basketball scholarships to institutions of higher learning and support mechanisms for student athletes during their academic years away from home.

As ABA grows, we envisage expanding our vision of development for Aboriginal student athletes, to embrace other student athletes from other regions of Australia. Our long-term strategic goals are inclusive of making South Australia the central hub for basketball and work / life skills development in Australia. We believe this can be achieved through the vision of expanding this Academy across SA.

More specifically, the Academy will provide a vehicle:

• for sporting participants in South Australia to gain access to programs that develop their ability by delivering high quality coaching, competition opportunities and expert advice
• to offer programs and pathways that have strategic alignment with the formal talent development pathways of the peak state sporting organisations
• to contribute to higher levels of participation and improved standards of competition in the region
• to address the current under representation of the region in sport at state and national level while promoting general sports participation at grassroots in schools and community sports associations
• to offer significant opportunities for volunteer training and mentoring support
• students to complete year 12 and progress into further tertiary study or meaningful employment.

It is envisaged that the Academy will provide a focus for the development of athletes in the Adelaide CBD. ABA participants will acquire key skills such as goal setting, motivation, team work, and social skills, which will be valuable as these young people develop their careers and move forward in life.

Please help us to enrich the lives of Aboriginal basketball student athletes by making a donation today.

Thanks to our fundraising partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation donations of $2 or more to the Aboriginal Basketball Academy are tax deductible.