Illawarra Hawks and Basketball NSW Partner to Grow Southern NSW Basketball

Basketball NSW and the Illawarra Hawks have entered a significant partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing basketball participation and infrastructure in Southern New South Wales. The collaboration will focus on fostering community engagement and creating inclusive opportunities for a diverse range of groups, including women, First Nations communities, and those with disabilities.

Over the next year, the partnership will prioritise the development of basketball programs in South, Southwest, and Southeastern Sydney, as well as country areas. This initiative will also seek to improve local basketball facilities, addressing a growing demand for spaces that can support the sport’s increasing popularity.

A key component of the partnership is integrating Basketball NSW’s programs into the Illawarra Hawks’ home game schedule. Junior clinics and inclusivity-focused sessions will be held at Hawks games, offering fans an immersive experience and promoting basketball pathways for players at all levels. By strengthening ties between professional and community basketball, the partnership aims to enhance the fan experience while expanding the Hawks’ membership base.

Basketball NSW’s CEO, Maria Nordstrom, expressed that the collaboration goes beyond increasing participation; it’s about creating lasting connections within the basketball community through sustainable infrastructure and accessible opportunities for all.

Illawarra Hawks’ CEO, Stu Taggart, also emphasised the importance of deepening connections with grassroots basketball. Through this partnership, the Hawks will continue to strengthen their presence in the community while supporting the development of future talent. The partnership’s kickoff event, the First Nations Challenge, will celebrate the diverse cultures within the community and is expected to play a pivotal role in the growth of the sport in the region.

Together, Basketball NSW and the Illawarra Hawks aim to create a more interconnected basketball environment that fosters growth from grassroots to elite levels, ensuring the sport is accessible, inclusive, and engaging for all participants and fans.

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