Growing the game for all, Ford Aussie Hoops reached a major milestone with Basketball Victoria launching its 100th delivery centre in Morwell.
The achievement marks a step forward in Australia’s basketball journey, giving more children aged 5-10 the chance to develop their skills, build confidence and discover a love for the game.
The introduction of Morwell’s new Ford Aussie Hoops delivery centre has sparked celebration across the state, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for basketball in regional Victoria.
“It's pretty exciting for all of us because we know that by advocating for a national program, we’re improving the sports visibility and making more positive impacts on our communities,” said Linda Woods, Basketball Victoria Participation Officer.
Regional Victoria’s uptake in basketball has been spiking over recent years, and Woods says this milestone reflects the strength and diversity of Victoria’s basketball landscape.
“In particular Morwell is in East Gippsland and it's wonderful to say that we're delivering across all different Local Government Areas (LGAs) and regions both metro, rural and regional.”
But the milestone isn’t just about one town or region. The growing prosperity of basketball through Victoria from Traralgon to Melbourne is a showcase for the potential rise of basketball and Aussie Hoops throughout the entire country. With Victoria’s success through the Aussie hoops program, the opportunity beckons for all states and territories to expand at the junior level.
“We had 86 [delivery] centres at the start of 2024 and we're now currently tracking 106 delivery centres,” said Woods.
“In addition to that we have grown the actual number of venues… we now have 162 venues that we're delivering from”.
The benefits of the Ford Aussie Hoops clinics have been profound, building foundational skills and creating pathways into club and representative basketball. Children who may never have had access to the sport are now joining local programs, whilst parents are stepping into roles and mentoring the children.
“We are seeing a really good transition from Aussie Hoops into domestic basketball and then what we're looking to measure is that retention of girls and teenagers in domestic sport,” said Woods.
The growth of Aussie Hoops in Victoria stands as a model for the rest of the country, as a reminder of the possibilities that junior basketball can have in a culture that is turning to basketball as a major sport of choice. With the roots now firmly planted, the aim is clear to give every child the opportunity to access basketball regardless of their postcode.
Sign up for Ford Aussie Hoops today through the Program Locator!
