Inaugural Indigenous Camp launches in Canberra

The inaugural National Indigenous Performance Camp (NIPC) will be held at the AIS in Canberra from 3 – 6 August 2024. The camp is the first major Indigenous performance pathway event providing athletes and coaches from all Australian States and Territories the opportunity to come together for an intensive 4-day live-in camp.  
 
The camp has been made possible through the Australian Government legacy funding that provides more opportunities for Indigenous young people through sport. 

The camp is headed up by two of the countries most qualified coach educators Kerry Williams and Peter Lonergan. Kerry needs no introduction, a proud Indigenous man who played for and is now assistant coach at the Cairns Taipans. He was called up for national duties with the Australian Boomers during the 2021 FIBA qualifying window. 

Williams is passionate about putting back into his community and providing Indigenous athletes with pathways for success. 

“Investing in these young athletes is what it’s all about, we certainly didn’t have these opportunities when I was coming up through the ranks so to be a part of this is really special to me.  There are so many talented Indigenous athletes across the country and to be able to bring them together with so many great mentors and coaches is an experience they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Make no mistake, this isn’t a holiday we will be working everyone hard and there will be some great performance outcomes achieved.”

The camp mentors include Abby Cubillo, Tyson Demos and Nathan Jawai who between them bringing incredible basketball experience. In addition, Jacqui Dover returns from the NBA Referee Development Program to lend her expertise to the camp.   

The athletes have been identified through high-performance coaches in the States and Territories with community engagement provided by IBA, Binar, H4H, ABA and the Koorie Academy.  

Indigenous Lead at Basketball Australia, Pauly Vandenbergh is delighted with the response from across Australia.

“We’ve had this idea for a while where we wanted to bring young Indigenous athletes to Canberra for an intensive live-in camp to experience the best in coaching, mentoring and facilities. Through the work of so many community organisations we have our inaugural camp ready to go and 26 kids who are about to have a life altering experience. Together with Sami Rioli who is the driving force behind all of the organisation required for a camp of this size we are beyond excited for what we know is going to be an incredible 4 days of learning, fun and growth.”

The camp will include 26 athletes aged 15-17 from across Australia for the 4-day live-in camp.