Last Sunday, the Kiilalaana Foundation and Koorie Academy Basketball joined forces in Mildura to host an inclusive event focused on basketball skills and drills for children of all abilities. With a total of 85 enthusiastic participants, including 56 Aboriginal boys and 44 Aboriginal girls, the event aimed to provide a memorable day of sport and cultural enrichment. Kiilalaana Foundation and Koorie Academy Basketball Unite for Successful Mildura Event.
The collaboration between Shantelle Thompson, founder of the Kiilalaana Foundation, and Rick Baldwin, founder of Koorie Academy Basketball, ensured the success of the event. Thompson, a proud Barkindji and Ngyampaa woman with three Jiu-Jitsu world champion titles, and recently honored with the Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to the Indigenous community, brought her passion for empowering youth to the forefront.
The event featured two basketball clinics tailored to different age groups: one for children aged 6-10 and another for those aged 11-17. Baldwin, a Gunai Kunai man with over 40 years of basketball experience as an NBL1 championship player and elite-level coach, emphasized the importance of sports for all children.
“Being an Ex NBL1 championship player and coaching at an elite level for many years, working with my Aboriginal community at a grassroots level is the most rewarding thing I have experienced,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin’s dedication to his community extended beyond basketball, as he hosted cultural artifact workshops during the event, providing participants with enriching experiences and teachings.
Despite the success of the event, Baldwin highlighted the challenges faced by many Indigenous families, particularly regarding access to transportation. While basketball has become increasingly popular among Indigenous children in Victoria, surpassing Australian rules football in popularity, logistical barriers still prevent some children from participating fully.
“Basketball in Victoria has grown, and now has more kids playing basketball than footy,” Baldwin noted. “An Elder came up to me saying she has never seen the kids so quiet and respectful. Listening and learning, we teach life skills.”
The collaboration between the Kiilalaana Foundation and Koorie Academy Basketball exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives in providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to engage in sports, culture, and personal development. Through events like these, the organizations aim to continue fostering a sense of pride, resilience, and belonging among Aboriginal children in Victoria.
Last Sunday, the Kiilalaana Foundation and Koorie Academy Basketball joined forces in Mildura to host an inclusive event focused on basketball skills and drills for children of all abilities. With a total of 85 enthusiastic participants, including 56 Aboriginal boys and 44 Aboriginal girls, the event aimed to provide a memorable day of sport and cultural enrichment.
The collaboration between Shantelle Thompson, founder of the Kiilalaana Foundation, and Rick Baldwin, founder of Koorie Academy Basketball, ensured the success of the event. Thompson, a proud Barkindji and Ngyampaa woman with three Jiu-Jitsu world champion titles, and recently honored with the Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to the Indigenous community, brought her passion for empowering youth to the forefront.
The event featured two basketball clinics tailored to different age groups: one for children aged 6-10 and another for those aged 11-17. Baldwin, a Gunai Kunai man with over 40 years of basketball experience as an NBL1 championship player and elite-level coach, emphasized the importance of sports for all children.
“Being an Ex NBL1 championship player and coaching at an elite level for many years, working with my Aboriginal community at a grassroots level is the most rewarding thing I have experienced,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin’s dedication to his community extended beyond basketball, as he hosted cultural artifact workshops during the event, providing participants with enriching experiences and teachings.
Despite the success of the event, Baldwin highlighted the challenges faced by many Indigenous families, particularly regarding access to transportation. While basketball has become increasingly popular among Indigenous children in Victoria, surpassing Australian rules football in popularity, logistical barriers still prevent some children from participating fully.
“Basketball in Victoria has grown, and now has more kids playing basketball than footy,” Baldwin noted. “An Elder came up to me saying she has never seen the kids so quiet and respectful. Listening and learning, we teach life skills.”
The collaboration between the Kiilalaana Foundation and Koorie Academy Basketball exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives in providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to engage in sports, culture, and personal development. Through events like these, the organizations aim to continue fostering a sense of pride, resilience, and belonging among Aboriginal children in Victoria.
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Tony Clemenger
Chief Executive Officer
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