BASKETBALL BEYOND THE GAME
BASKETBALL BEYOND THE GAME
We believeEvery child deserves the chance to belong, play, and thrive through team sport.
Hoop Dreams Academy creates opportunities for at-risk and financially disadvantaged children and their families by providing inclusive basketball programs that build confidence, skills, teamwork, and a strong sense of community and connection.
Hoop Dreams Academy creates opportunities for at-risk and financially disadvantaged children and their families by providing inclusive basketball programs that build confidence, skills, teamwork, and a strong sense of community and connection.
EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE TO PLAY
We believe basketball should be accessible to all, not just those who can afford it or already have opportunity. By bringing basketball into communities and teaching the value of teamwork and connection, we help young people overcome barriers and find a sense of belonging (within themselves and as a team).
THE ACADEMY
Our PurposeFor many young people, unstable housing, financial stress, or social exclusion can remove access to safe, supportive environments where they can connect and thrive.
that’s where we come in.
Hoop Dreams Academy provides benevolent relief to children, young people, and families experiencing disadvantage facing social, financial, and geographic barriers to participating in basketball.
Inclusive team sports like basketball play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing. By participating in structured, supportive programs, young people gain connection, purpose, and positive peer relationships, protective factors that are especially important for those navigating instability or risk of homelessness.
THE POWER OF THE GAME.
Basketball is one of Australia’s fastest-growing team sports, with around 1.3 million Australians playing regularly, making it the second most popular team sport in the country after soccer.
Across age groups and backgrounds, the game has incredible reach and potential:
Over 350,000 children aged 5–14 participate in organised basketball each year.
Female participation has grown by around 25% since 2022, showing the sport’s increasing inclusivity.
Yet despite this strong interest and growth, many young people still miss out because of cost, lack of facilities, or limited access to inclusive programs. Up to 150,000 Australians are estimated to be unable to play due to a shortage of community basketball courts.