BASKETBALL

TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR BASKETBALL CAREER

The IAS Basketball Program is designed to support the developmental needs of young talented Basketball players by providing industry-leading high-performance sport development programs. Scholarships are offered for a 12-month period commencing in October and concluding in September. However, there is a heavier focus on the program from September through to state team selection trials in April.

The aim of the program is to provide a pre-elite pathway program offering additional development on top of club, representative or school-based training.

OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING, COACHING AND COMPETITION WITH A VIEW TO:

Develop athletes’ fundamental skill level to enhance their opportunities for selection into NSW State squads and teams
Prepare athletes for seamless transition to any NSW State Team program or pathway
Increase the level of athlete success in Basketball competition and events nationwide
Provide an introduction and progression into sport specific strength and conditioning
Provide education around athletic and personal development, including nutrition, sport psychology, media skills, leadership, and drugs in sport
The program will conduct weekly skills-based and strength and conditioning training to which attendance is expected

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible for the 2025/26 program athletes must:

Be born in years 2011 – 2013 to be eligible for the Main Basketball Squad.
Be born in years 2011 – 2014 to be eligible for the Development Squad.
Be able to play in BNSW endorsed competition in U14 – U16 age group in 2025.
Reside within one of five eligible local government areas – Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven or Wingecarribee.
Athletes must be a current financial member of both their Local Association and Basketball NSW.
Be able to commit to all planned IAS program events.

SELECTION PROCESS

Each applicant is reviewed by an independant selected panel of coaches, administrators and invited representatives. The IAS decision/s regarding athlete selection is based on objective and subjective measures and the IAS hold final responsibility for the selection of athletes.

SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Beginning in the 2025-26 scholarship year, the IAS will be offering both its traditional, fully supported places AND self-financed places to selected athletes.

For further financial assistance, explore the Grow A Star and Local Sporting Champions grants.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Illawarra Aacdemy of Sport basketball program provides an opportunity for local basketball players looking to gain further individual skill development and competition opportunities that will assist them in their chances of gaining future state team selection and higher honours.

The Basketball program runs annually from October to April (representative Basketball off season) with regular squad training sessions focused on individual skill development. Team elements are introduced leading into competition opportunities such as Inter-Academy Camp and the annual Your Local Club Academy Games, which conclude the program each year in April.

In addition to on-court training sessions and competition opportunities, athletes receive access to sports science testing, athlete educational seminars to assist with personal development off the basketball court.

IAS athletes are required to purchase the IAS squad uniform, they also are required to contribute to additional components of the programs such as camps.

ATHLETE PATHWAY

The IAS Basketball Program is a program endorsed by Basketball NSW. The program is part of the BNSW athlete pathway and includes athletes in the Developing Athlete Program (DAP) and State Performance Plan (SPP). For further clarity, athletes who are selected to the State Performance Plan (SPP) are eligible for the IAS program.

The Academy program ‘sits’ between local representative basketball and higher representation such as NSW State Country Team selection. The program exists to up-skill athletes and assist them in progressing to higher representation.