Parent's Guide to Basketball Australia Aussie Hoops Ages 5-10 2026

During registration you can choose to buy a participant pack. There are three options, and each includes a size 4 or 5 Spalding basketball, a personalised reversible singlet and a sticker sheet:

• Core Pack: the ball, singlet and sticker sheet.
• Lifestyle Pack: the core items plus an Aussie Hoops drawstring bag.
• Premium Pack: the core items plus an Aussie Hoops backpack.

Packs are dispatched within 3 to 5 business days of the registration being submitted and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days (longer in remote areas). If you skip the pack, you can buy singlets, drink bottles, socks, bags and size 4 or 5 basketballs later from the Aussie Hoops online store.

Children are coached by accredited coaches in a program built around fundamental motor skills, teamwork and respect for others.

Sources: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/participant-pack and https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/program-benefits

• Session length: each weekly session runs for between 45 and 75 minutes, depending on the local centre.
• Program length: a program runs for between 5 and 10 weeks, depending on the centre.
• When: programs run all year round, typically in line with the school terms in your state or territory.
• Who runs it: an accredited Local Centre Coordinator runs the program and recruits accredited coaches to deliver it.
• Content: the curriculum introduces team sport and basic basketball skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing and teamwork, then gradually makes activities more competitive. The emphasis is fun, safe, inclusive basketball.
• Free app: the MOJO app connects players, coaches and parents with the program.

Sources: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/about/faqs and https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/joining-a-club

• Basketball: children bring the ball from their participant pack.
• Singlet: they are encouraged to wear the personalised reversible singlet from the pack.
• Water bottle: recommended.
• Footwear: suitable shoes such as standard school sport shoes or basketball shoes.
• Mouthguard: basketball is a limited-contact sport and Aussie Hoops is delivered in a controlled environment, so only a small percentage of children wear one. Some local centres do ask participants to wear safety equipment such as a mouthguard.

Source: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/about/faqs

• Ball: the participant pack includes a Spalding basketball in size 4 or size 5, and both sizes are sold in the Aussie Hoops store. Basketball Australia introduced the size 4 ball in Term 3 2019, in line with FIBA mini-basketball guidelines for young players.
• Ring height: Basketball Australia says Aussie Hoops pairs the smaller ball with rings lower than standard, but the official pages do not state a measurement. The standard ring used in later competitions is 10 feet, and Basketball Australia says shooting on a 10-foot ring is not essential for moving on to a club.

Sources: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/participant-pack, https://www.australia.basketball/news/3338448/aussie-hoops-to-introduce-size-4-basketball and https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/joining-a-club

Refunds are processed through your local Aussie Hoops centre using the Aussie Hoops Refund Form. Under Basketball Australia's policy:

• Cancelling your registration: notify the centre in writing. You get the participation fee back (excluding merchandise and the online transaction fee) only if the centre receives your notice 10 or more days before the program starts. Inside 10 days there is no refund.
• Program cancelled: you get the participation fee, merchandise and transaction fee back, and keep the merchandise. Vouchers are not refunded.
• Centre changes the time, date or day at no fault of the participant: full refund of the fee, merchandise and transaction fee.
• Medical condition preventing participation in 5 or more sessions: full refund of the fee, merchandise and transaction fee.
• Faulty or damaged pack items (not the participant's fault) are replaced. Email photos to aussiehoops@australia.basketball. Lost, stolen or damaged packs are not replaced.

Source: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/participant-refund

Aussie Hoops gradually makes activities more competitive until a child is ready to join a club and play in an age-based competition (for example Under 8s or Under 10s). There is no set age: a confident six year old may be ready before a less confident ten year old.

Basketball Australia's signs that a child is ready:

• Is confident in more competitive Aussie Hoops activities that involve some pressure.
• Understands the basic rules (for example, no running with the ball and no hitting or grabbing players).
• Dribbles one-handed confidently.
• Can catch and pass the ball.
• Cooperates and shares with teammates.

Shooting on a standard 10-foot ring is nice to have but not essential, because children build the strength to score on whatever ring size their competition uses. Emotional readiness matters too, and a child does not need to be a superstar, only have a good attitude and a willingness to learn.

Club competitions differ in timing, age groups, travel and uniform requirements. Use the Program Finder at https://registration.basketballconnect.com/finder?membershipType=%5B2%5D to locate your nearest centre.

Source: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/joining-a-club

Basketball Australia's pathway model has three stages:

1. Foundation: developing fundamental movement and basketball skills and confidence. This is where Aussie Hoops sits.
2. Participation: keeping players in basketball through their teenage years and into lifelong participation, because sport participation tends to drop off in the secondary school years.
3. Performance: talent identification and high performance programs for athletes with the potential for elite success, with international success as the ultimate goal.

Aussie Hoops is designed as a structured program that children can take part in over a five year period.

Sources: https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/our-basketball-pathway and https://www.aussiehoops.basketball/support/parent/program-benefits