30 April 2026

Author: Maree DeGeorge

Basketball Victoria and Academy Movement officially launched its first school-based basketball academy on Tuesday, with students at Laverton College stepping into a program designed to transform engagement, build confidence and create real pathways through sport.

The Laverton College based program represents a significant step forward in how basketball connects with young people in education settings, using the game as a vehicle to drive connection, learning and long-term opportunity.

The launch brought together key stakeholders from across the basketball community, including representatives from the Wyndham Basketball Association and Altona Basketball Association, reinforcing the importance of strong local pathways and community connection in supporting young people.

Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said the program reflects a broader commitment to engaging students in meaningful and lasting ways.

“This is a really important moment for basketball in Victoria,” Honey said.

“We’re seeing firsthand how powerful sport can be when it’s embedded in a school environment, not just for skill development, but for building confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.”

“This program is about giving students a reason to engage and helping them see what’s possible both on and off the court.”

Laverton College Principal Lisa Robinson said one term in, and the academy is already making a visible impact within the school.

“What stands out is the shift in our students, they’re more engaged, more confident and more connected to each other,” Robinson said.

“There’s a real sense of belonging building through this program, and that has a direct impact on how students show up in the classroom and across the school and community.”

Founder of Academy Movement Jimmy Orange said expanding into basketball is about reaching more young people through a model that works.

“We know sport can be a powerful hook for engagement,” Orange said.

“What we saw today is exactly why; students stepping up, supporting each other and building confidence in a space where they feel they belong.”

The “bigger than basketball” philosophy was evident throughout the day, with a strong focus on the life skills developed through the program — resilience, teamwork, leadership and connection — all critical foundations for academic success.

Year 10 student Pauline, shared how the academy has already started to shape the experiences of her and her fellow students, stating one of the highlights as having the opportunity to coach primary school children.

Helping to build confidence and leadership, while also teaching students the importance of communication, supporting others and believing in themselves.

Adding to the experience, Pat Ryan, South East Melbourne Phoenix Development Player and Nya Lok, Basketball Victoria’s Multicultural Officer and WNBL player, were on court with students, sharing their journeys into basketball and connecting directly with participants.

Both reinforced the impact a program like this could have had during their own school years, not only accelerating their development as athletes, but helping build confidence, structure and a stronger sense of direction earlier.

Support from the Victorian Government, including State Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly MP, has been instrumental in bringing the program to life, with grant funding supporting the fit out of a purpose-built high-performance gym to enhance the program’s holistic focus on student development.

Ms Connolly MP has highlighted programs like Academy Movement play an important role in communities like Laverton by helping keep young people connected, to school, to their peers and to supportive adults, with sport providing another way for students to experience success, build discipline and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

She has also pointed to the role sport can play as a powerful engagement tool in education, giving young people a reason to turn up, build confidence through effort and progress, and develop key life skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience, goal setting and leadership.

Importantly, the state member reinforced that opportunities like this should not be defined by postcode, with programs like the Laverton Basketball Academy helping level the playing field by creating environments where students can grow in confidence, connection and aspiration.

The partnership between schools, government, Basketball Victoria and Academy Movement reflects a shared commitment to delivering sustainable, education-first initiatives that open pathways, not only in sport, but across coaching, officiating, administration and broader career opportunities.

As the first cohort in Basketball Victoria’s and Academy Movement’s inaugural school-based academy, Laverton College students now hold a unique role in shaping what comes next.

They are not just participants, they are setting the standard, building the culture and creating a foundation for how school-based basketball academies can grow across Victoria and support more young people into the future.

Because as Tuesday showed, this program isn’t just about developing better players. It’s about helping young people find their place, build confidence and create a pathway forward, in school, in sport and in life.

-ENDS-

For all media enquiries:  
Maree DeGeorge 
Basketball Victoria – Media & Communications Specialist
maree.degeorge@basketballvictoria.com.au 
0499 851 266 

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