Basketball Brings the Kimberley Together

Right across the Kimberley, families and young people have been coming together through basketball carnivals that strengthen culture, connection and wellbeing. Garnduwa’s Program Performance Manager, Amanda Gregory, has been working closely with staff across all regions to support the planning and delivery of these community-led events, ensuring each carnival reflects local strengths and aspirations. In every location, courts have become gathering spaces where families, Elders and young people share pride in their skills and pride in their communities.

A community celebration of sport and wellbeing

Basketball holds a special place across the region. It is accessible, fast-paced and brings people together in ways that strengthen friendships and family ties. This year, Garnduwa supported numerous major basketball carnivals by providing equipment, game day coordination, officiating support and training for local volunteers. Each event reflected what communities wanted to see, with local leaders setting the tone and shaping the experience.

“Our job is to listen, guide and support communities to reach their aspirations,” Amanda said.

“When local leaders take the lead, young people see themselves reflected in those roles. It reinforces that they belong in these spaces too.”

The social and emotional wellbeing focus of the Kimberley Sport, Art and Culture (KSAC) Agreement helped ensure each carnival was more than a competition. It provided opportunities for communities to reconnect, celebrate culture and learn together. The broader support of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) strengthens Garnduwa’s ability to deliver this work consistently across the region, while the Kimberley Active Communities program creates the week-to-week engagement that makes events like these possible.

Connection that runs deeper than the court

Across all carnivals, the strongest sign of success was the way families and young people came together. Parents travelled to watch their children play. Siblings supported one another. Conversations flowed between games. Community members reconnected in positive, uplifting environments.

“Seeing families participate and reconnect showed how important these gatherings are,” Amanda said.

“There was a willingness to share, learn and look after one another.”

These moments strengthen social and emotional wellbeing, which sits at the heart of the KSAC focus. For many communities, basketball carnivals offer a rare chance to gather for celebration, not only during sorrow. They help young people associate sport with pride, confidence and identity.

Local leadership at the centre

Garnduwa’s approach places local leadership at the forefront. Many community members stepped into roles to help coordinate matches, manage equipment or support officiating. Young people also began taking on responsibilities, learning about teamwork, respect and shared accountability.

“Our people know what they want,” Amanda said.

“Local decision making keeps the event authentic and builds pride. We support them to bring their ideas to life.”

The Kimberley Active Communities program reinforces this by providing consistent weekly sessions, developing local Community Recreation Officers and building the skills and confidence needed for communities to host their own events.

Leadership, pride and belonging

For young people, seeing role models from their own community is powerful.

“They can be what they see,” Amanda said.

“When they see local people running events with confidence, it strengthens their sense of identity and belonging.”

Basketball carnivals also give young people a chance to showcase their talent, compete respectfully and experience the joy of representing their community. These outcomes reflect the shared values of KSAC and KAC, combining wellbeing, participation and leadership development.

Building capacity for future carnivals

Amanda says the most inspiring outcome has been the growth in capacity across the region.

“I am most proud of the capacity being built for future carnivals,” she said.

“Our staff have come together and supported communities to take ownership. You can see the impact in how people step up and how young people respond.”

Consistent programming strengthens Garnduwa’s long-term connection with communities. It builds trust, shared responsibility and confidence for the future.

Through KSAC and ongoing support from NIAA, Garnduwa is continuing to create opportunities for young people to grow in culture, community and leadership.