Love, learn, lead. Pathways for every passion.

Programs to Grow Every Player, Coach & Referee

Get in the Game with

We believe basketball is more than just a game - it’s a pathway to skills, confidence, and lifelong connections.

Our programs cater to every stage of the journey, from the very first dribble in Aussie Hoops, to high-performance training with the Midwest Basketball Academy, and opportunities to step up as an official through our Referee Development pathway.

Whether you’re learning the basics, sharpening your competitive edge, or giving back to the game in a new role, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Aussie Hoops

Since its inception in 2002, Aussie Hoops has provided a national introductory basketball program for primary school aged children.

Aussie Hoops is for boys and girls of any ability (including wheelchair) between the ages of 5 and 10 years. It can be played all year round, and many of the activities don’t even need a hoop!

Since 2002, over 400,000 kids have participated in Aussie Hoops programs in schools and local associations.

Aussie Hoops is about kids having FUN and developing basketball skills. The program has a range of resources to help teachers, coaches and parents run it.

The aim of the program is for kids to:

  • Have FUN

  • Learn new basketball skills

  • Spend time with old and new friends

  • Be safe

Aussie Hoops in Geraldton runs specifically for children ages 5-8, who because of their age, are still too young to join a club team.

For further information please visit the Aussie Hoops website or contact the GABA Administrator on 9964 5255 or admin@gaba.au

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Four young children wearing blue basketball uniforms, holding basketballs, standing in front of a large colorful sign that says 'Bucks' at an indoor basketball court.

Midwest Basketball Academy

The Midwest Basketball Academy was established in 2007 as a program aimed at kids aged 11-16 who are serious about basketball and have a desire to grow their basketball skills.

The Academy strives to create better pathways for athletes, coaches and officials from country areas through a state-wide, holistic and long-term approach to basketball.

The Midwest Basketball Academy runs in conjunction with the academies from the Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Albany and Mandurah country areas so that the kids in country areas receive an excellent and standard form of basketball training.

The program exists to establish athlete and coaching networks across WA and to improve the overall standard of athletes and coaches who represent their associations through to the state and national levels.

Kids from the Midwest community that have shown a potential to compete in the Basketball WA and Country Week Championships, Country Cup, U16 and U18 WA Country State Teams and higher levels of basketball like the WA State Basketball League are engaged for this program.

It is a prerequisite that participants in this program show commitment to the program through high attendance to all Academy sessions, have a positive and respectful attitude towards coaches, players and referees and are willing to listen, learn and work hard to improve their basketball skills.

The Midwest Basketball Academy program is a progressive 8-week program that starts with basic individual basketball skills and gradually moves into team concepts by the end of the 8 weeks.

For more information contact the GABA Administrator on 9964 5255 or email admin@gaba.au

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Group of young basketball players and coaches on an indoor basketball court, with a mural of a silhouette of a basketball player on the wall behind them, in the Bernard Brow Grandstand at Midwest Basketball Academy.

Referee Development

Looking for ways to stay involved in the game? GABA supports a full pathway for officials of all levels - from beginner to elite - through the Referee Development programs run by Basketball WA.

These programs are part of Basketball WA’s State Referee Development Program, which aligns training with real competition levels from regional matches to high-performance leagues. Referee pathways include:

  • Regional Referee Development — Transition from domestic games to representative level competitions such as State and Country Championships

  • WABL Referee Development Program — Accelerates officials through entry to state level competitions and includes both on-court coaching and online mentoring

  • Elite and SBL Programs — For seasoned officials, these are designed to prepare for high level games and national league opportunities

Each program blends theory and practical learning, including workshops, video analysis, on-court mentoring, and interstate development tours like the Zebra Tour. Coaches and facilitators help guide growth at every stage.

Ready to step onto the court as an official - or level up in your officiating journey?

Visit the Basketball WA State Referee Development page for more information or submit your Expression of Interest to referee@gaba.au.

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Two male teenagers and one female teenager in green sports jerseys standing with middle-aged woman in black shirt in front of a yellow backdrop with Geraldton Basketball Association logos, all smiling for the camera in a gymnasium.

Stay in the Game!

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A cartoon illustration of a man with glasses and a beard, holding a paintbrush with rainbow colors, in front of a rainbow and a sun, with the text "You Are Worth It" above.