Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning Partner for Inaugural All-Female Harmony Hoops

The Adelaide 36ers and the Adelaide Lightning have joined forces to launch the first-ever all-female iteration of the Harmony Hoops program.

Traditionally a mixed-gender initiative, the latest term of the program was designed exclusively for young women from culturally diverse backgrounds, providing a tailored environment for athletic and personal development.

Harmony Hoops is a long-standing partnership between the 36ers and the Australian Refugee Association (ARA), serving as a key community pillar for the club to drive social inclusion and connection through sport.

Adelaide 36ers chief of external relations & community strategy, Ross Wait, emphasised that the decision to run an all-female program was a strategic move to lower barriers to entry for culturally diverse youth.

“We recognised an opportunity to create a space specifically for young girls from diverse backgrounds to feel comfortable, confident, and inspired.”

“Harmony Hoops has always been about more than the game—it’s about connection, belonging, and giving young people the tools to thrive.

“This all-girls program has shown just how powerful that environment can be,” Wait said. 

Targeted Engagement and Representation

The eight-session program saw 16 participants register, representing a broad cross-section of South Australia’s multicultural community. The cohort included girls from Kenyan, South Sudanese, German, Swiss, Belgian, and Indigenous Australian backgrounds, highlighting the program’s reach within the state’s diverse populations.

Participants were provided with a comprehensive curriculum that blended on-court skill development with off-court education:

• Elite Mentorship: The program featured appearances and coaching from 36ers players Magok Manyang and Blake Jones, alongside high-profile Adelaide Lightning stars Steph Talbot, Ashlee Strawbridge, and Tayla Brazel.
• Holistic Development: Beyond basketball, the girls engaged in workshops focused on physical and mental preparation, nutrition, and a creative session dedicated to designing custom basketball jerseys.

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