Young basketball players in Tasmania now have a new pathway to develop their skills after the University of Tasmania (UTAS) launched its Basketball Academy, a high-performance program aimed at supporting athletes from grassroots levels through to elite competition.
The academy will operate from the Uni Gym at the Sandy Bay Campus and is open to male and female athletes from the Under 12 age group and above. The program is designed for players who want to improve their basketball abilities while receiving structured coaching, athlete development support and access to university sporting facilities.
The new academy will be led by experienced basketball coach Anthony Stewart, working alongside the Uni Gym and UTAS Sport teams. Organisers say the program will provide a training environment similar to professional sporting systems, combining on-court development with strength and conditioning, athlete testing and performance support.
A key feature of the academy is the connection between young athletes and experienced university-level players. Participants will have opportunities to learn from members of the University Basketball League (UBL) teams, creating a mentoring environment where emerging players can understand the demands of higher-level competition.
The launch builds on UTAS’s recent success in university basketball. The university achieved national recognition after both its men’s and women’s teams won the 2025 New Balance University Basketball League titles. UTAS’s women’s 3x3 team also represented Australia at the 2025 FISU University World Cup 3x3 Basketball competition in Brazil.
UTAS Head of Sport Kieran Perry said the academy strengthens the connection between junior basketball participation and university sport pathways. The goal is to help athletes explore opportunities in competitive basketball while also supporting education and personal development.
Coach Anthony Stewart said the academy would focus on helping players improve their technical skills, basketball knowledge, confidence and overall athletic performance. The program is designed around small group sessions, allowing coaches to provide more individual attention and targeted feedback.
Beyond basketball skills, the academy will also focus on developing well-rounded athletes. Participants will receive guidance through mentoring, leadership opportunities and education support, helping them prepare for possible futures in competitive sport, coaching or university-level athletics.
The launch reflects a growing focus across Australia on creating stronger pathways for young athletes. Sports academies and high-performance programs are increasingly being used to bridge the gap between community sport and elite competition by combining coaching, sports science and personal development.
For Tasmania’s basketball community, the UTAS Basketball Academy represents a major opportunity to strengthen local talent development and provide young players with access to resources previously limited to professional sporting environments.
The initiative is expected to encourage greater participation in basketball, support future representative players and create stronger links between schools, community clubs and university sport.
By investing in young athletes today, UTAS hopes to help develop the next generation of Tasmanian basketball talent and create a lasting legacy for the sport across the state.
