Ahead of its highly anticipated third year, this week Patty Mills and Indigenous Basketball Australia announced new leadership and age group expansions for the grassroots basketball programs.
The announcements follow a successful year one and two boasting an overwhelming amount of community support and participation in eight regions across the country.
Newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, proud Māori & Cook Island Māori woman Melody Cooper OLY, a former London Olympian and influential cultural leader, will take the reins to drive growth and strategic direction of the organisation.
"Indigenous Basketball Australia is a phenomenal creation by Patty Mills that I am fortunate to be a part of.
"I feel there is real synergy with my new role, not only from a professional standpoint but also from my personal perspective as a proud Māori woman who aims to instil in my own children the importance of understanding your lineage and the celebration of cultural practices." says Cooper.
"To wake every day knowing we are making a significant difference in society to support our Aboriginal youths & Torres Strait Islander youths who want to represent Australia is a responsibility that I am extremely excited about."
"I have had the privilege to represent my country as an international player and it has shaped my ambition for how I would like to pass on my experience and use it to help our young athletes. The IBA provides a safe place where our youth can find a sense of purpose and belonging so that they too can unlock their own potential to live life to the fullest, wherever it may take them."
In addition, IBA announced the age group expansion for mid-next year, effectively doubling the program size.
The move to extend age categories cements the IBA's intention to pave a path of success for Aboriginal youths and Torres Strait Islander youths who wouldn't otherwise have had access to such opportunity.
Proud Muralag and Kokatha man Patty Mills noted "My vision for this program is clear and I am thrilled to add Melody to our IBA team in an important leadership role."
"It's inspiring to see the pride Melody has for her own Indigenous culture and how she lives and breathes this with her family.
"I've also had the privilege to witness her passion for empowering young Indigenous athletes around Australia.
"These values are evident, and it is clear to see what fuels her tremendous work ethic. Combined with her many years of experience with multiple team sports, from grassroots to the elite level, I felt that she would be the perfect leader to continue the strong growth of IBA." says Mills.
With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on the horizon, the significance of the imapct IBA is making on Indigenous youth could be decisive.
2023 will see the IBA return with it's unique delivery of motivational and on-court basketball skills sessions in unison with active celebration of culture as part of it's strategy.
Cultural content will be boosted through a renewed focus on traditional dance, song and language as expressions of 'owning your story', the IBA's tagline.
"I am also elated at the expansion of age group into Under 17's for our third year," said Mills.
"At the core of IBA is providing pathways and opportunities to succeed in life.
"My dream from a basketball perspective is to put our young IBA athletes in the best possible position to become an Australian Olympian for a home soil Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
"Although we still have work to do to achieve our goals, I remain inspired and motivated for an exciting year ahead," Mills said.
