Adelaide 36ers NBL teams up to offer Australia’s first SACE-accredited course in basketball

In an Australian first, the Adelaide 36ers have teamed up with a university and sports mentoring company to offer a SACE-accredited basketball course.

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton with students (from left) Freddy Hawkes, Lara Somfai, Carlos Toro, Charlotte Jarmer, Lily Daniels and Thomas Schulze. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Secondary students can combine their passion for basketball with their studies as part of an Australian-first learning program.

The Adelaide 36ers have teamed up with a leading sports mentoring company, XVenture, to offer the new SACE-accredited course.

Backed by Flinders University, it would use online tuition and practical activities based around basketball to build resilience and wellbeing.

Students can obtain 10 SACE credit points by completing the course, which was the latest of a number of “community-learning programs” recognised by SACE.

Others included CFS firefighter training, surf lifesaving, equestrian eventing, SANFL umpiring, sailing, music, dancing, ballet, construction, computing, swimming instruction and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Adelaide 36ers chief executive Nic Barbato said the basketball program was aimed at helping teenagers to learn and develop “essential skills that will assist them within their educational journey and help them with their employment aspirations”.

“Over many years it has been identified that influencing and inspiring young people through positive role models, such as the Adelaide 36ers, can have a profound impact on influencing change,” he said.

“Even if students aren’t basketball fans, it provides a unique engagement opportunity that can make a real difference in their lives”.

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton with students (from left) Freddy Hawkes, Lara Somfai, Carlos Toro, Charlotte Jarmer, Lily Daniels and Thomas Schulze. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Mr Barbato said two schools, Pulteney Grammar and Modbury High School, had committed to introducing the program, with 15 others expressing interest.

“Students will get a rare insight into what’s involved in an elite sports organisation,” he said. “Subjects include sports marketing and media as well as world-class health, wellbeing and nutrition understanding.”

Mr Barbato said the lessons had been developed to help students develop “essential skills” needed to finish their education and lead rewarding lives.

“Its focus is on having a great time while learning in a team environment and putting into practice key leanings on leadership, teamwork and general wellbeing,” he told The Advertiser.

XVenture chief executive Mike Conway said the course was based on a successful high school resilience program piloted in NSW.

Mr Conway, the mind coach for national men’s soccer team The Socceroos, said it was important young people were supported to find opportunities to develop resilience and other essential skills while at school.

“I applaud the SACE board for recognising that developing essential skills is as important as some of the core subjects in the education curriculum,” he said.

Mr Conway said his firm would train teachers to implement the basketball program.

Its introduction had been supported by Flinders University, which recently announced it had become a naming rights sponsor with the Adelaide 36ers.

The university had entered into a partnership with the NBL club to provide work experience placements for its sports science students.