Aboriginal Basketball Academy

Forging the next generation of Aboriginal leaders

We’re an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation helping year 10-12 students in South Australia complete school while learning and enjoying the game of basketball

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Developing social & life skills
Improving health & wellbeing
Opening doors for tertiary education & apprenticeships
Teaching Aboriginal culture & history

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students do not complete school when compared to their peers.

It’s why, since 2017, we’ve been keeping these kids engaged in their education by combining their interest in basketball with classroom learning.

We do this so they can not only achieve excellence in basketball but also graduate with their SACE while accessing opportunities for personal growth they wouldn’t otherwise have.

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Your donation will help these students finish school.

Once a week, instead of their usual school day our kids join us at the St Clair Recreation Centre for basketball and education. We also offer camps, clinics and other programs.

Participating students receive support from our team of volunteers, coaches and teachers. We have even partnered with the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) and have Aboriginal mentors on court and in classes.

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How to Apply

We hold trials each year for acceptance into our life-changing program—positions are limited and impacted by our funding.

Simply sign up to be notified when trials begin, or check in with your school’s Aboriginal coordinator for updates.

Notify me when trial applications open

What our kids say

Being a part of ABA meant a lot to me. It was always a safe place for me where I really felt like I belonged. The program helped me reconnect with my culture and understand my identity, while also allowing me to do what I love, which is play basketball. It wasn’t just the basketball aspect that was great but getting to connect and create friendships with all the ABA students and teachers made the space a place where I really felt loved and included.

Ashalea

Being in the Aboriginal basketball academy has helped me to reconnect with my culture and given me a great understanding of our identity. I would also say that it is also great to build a strong bond with all the Aboriginal basketball players in the academy.

Trasen