Koorie Academy Basketball has announced its 2026 Outback Tour, which will celebrate "50 Years of Deadly" during the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week.

The Naarm/Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation will take basketball, culture and community connection to regional and remote areas of New South Wales, with the tour set to visit Wilcannia, Ivanhoe, Menindee and Dareton.

Founded by Gunai Kurnai man Ricky Baldwin, Koorie Academy Basketball works to empower Indigenous youth through sport, using basketball to promote cultural identity and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

The 2026 Outback Tour will see the Academy travel to key regional communities to host basketball clinics and engage with local youth.

A Koorie Academy spokesperson said the tour would celebrate NAIDOC Week while strengthening connections with young people and communities.

"This tour is about more than just basketball; it's about connection, culture, and celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC Week," the spokesperson said.

"We are excited to bring our programs to Wilcannia, Ivanhoe, Menindee, and Dareton, and then bring everyone together back in Naarm for a massive community celebration and the Allstar game against Team Ngwala."

Following the outback leg of the tour, Koorie Academy will return to Naarm for a Community Day to close out NAIDOC Week.

The 'Narrm Community Day' will feature a large-scale Koorie Academy clinic for local youth, with a focus on skill development, teamwork and cultural pride.

The day will also include the Allstar Game, an exhibition match between the Koorie Academy Allstars and Team Ngwala.

The match is expected to showcase Indigenous basketball talent and community spirit as part of the broader NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Koorie Academy has a history of partnering with organisations including Ngwala Aboriginal Corporation to deliver community programs.

Ngwala Aboriginal Corporation has also come on as Koorie Academy's major sponsor for the next three years.

The upcoming Allstar Game will further build on that relationship while providing a community sporting event in Naarm.

The Koorie Academy 2026 Outback Tour invites community members, media and supporters to join in celebrating Indigenous culture, resilience and sporting excellence during NAIDOC Week.