Koorie Academy had a successful day at the Hoop City in Djilang (Geelong) on Wathaurung country.

With 60 young Aboriginal kids ready to play basketball, the event opened with a welcome to Country, a special moment for many of the kids who had not participated in a welcome/smoking ceremony before.

The basketball carnival had a serious side, raising awareness about challenges being faced by Indigenous children around Australia.

Organisers noted that at least 22,000 Indigenous kids were in out of home care in 2021 and also that the gap in school attendance is not closing.

The recent Family Matters report found that while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up about six percent of all children in the country they represent 39 per cent of all children in out-of-home care.

Event organiser Rick Baldwin said programs like the Koori Academy are important as they can teach life skills and break down barriers.

"We always teach how important it is to be proud of your heritage and culture," he said.

"It's always a culturally safe environment for the koorie kids when we host our clinics."

The Koorie Academy partnered with former Geelong premiership player Mathew Stokes, who is well known for his work with the Aboriginal community in Djilang/Geelong.