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beginners welcome. All Skill levels.

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register NOW!

beginners welcome. All Skill levels.

Facebook Instagram

register NOW!

Beginners welcome.
All Skill levels.

Facebook Instagram

Player Pathway

Start their basketball journey early!

The Mini Dolphins and Mini Marlins are where the basketball journey begins. Designed for boys and girls aged 4–7, the program introduces young players to the game in a fun, welcoming environment while building the foundations of basketball, confidence, teamwork and a love of being on the court.
 
From these first steps, players can continue to grow through Cairns Basketball’s broader player pathway, progressing into junior club basketball, representative programs and, for those who choose to pursue it, opportunities through state and senior basketball. It’s about creating a pathway for every player to develop at their own pace, enjoy the game and discover where basketball can take them.
Flow chart of Queensland junior basketball levels from Mini Dolphins to Senior Basketball with logos and arrows.
Orange abstract basketball logo on white background

Next Gen Program - U12 | U14 | U16

  • Identifies the next generation of athletes with the potential to represent Queensland.
  • Designed for U12, U14, and U16 athletes.
  • Introduces athletes to a high-performance environment.
  • Provides insight into the expectations of the high-performance pathway.
  • Supports early development and preparation for future representative opportunities.
Group of young basketball players in blue uniforms posing in a gym, each holding a basketball in front of them as a team photo.
Group of smiling young basketball players wearing blue and white uniforms posing together for a team photo.

Future Development Program (North & South Regions) - 12-13 Years

  • Focuses on identifying, supporting, and developing athletes aged 12–13 years.
  • Supports the development of aspiring talented coaches.
  • Introduces participants to Basketball Queensland’s Style of Play.
  • Delivered across Terms 2 and 3 with one training session per week and a
    culminating All-State Camp.
  • Serves as the first step in the Basketball Queensland athlete development pathway.
  • Recognises that athletes develop at different rates, with non-selection not limiting future development opportunities.

State Performance Program (North & South Regions) - U16 | U18 | U20

  • Provides systematic identification, selection, and development of athletes in U16, U18, and U20 age groups.
  • Prepares athletes to represent Queensland at the Australian Junior
    Championships (AJCs).
  • Operates across two regions: North Queensland and South Queensland.
  • Ensures access to specialised coaching and resources regardless of athlete location.
  • Athletes nominate and trial through the OwnUrGoal platform.
  • Selection is based on state and national performance criteria.
  • Includes a dedicated training program leading to Queensland State Team selection and competition at the Australian national level.
Learn More
Six female basketball players in red Queensland jerseys stand with arms around each other on a wooden gym floor, posing for a team photo (numbers 11, 10, 9, 8, 6, 2).

National Performance Program - U17 | U19

  • Dedicated high-performance program for Queensland’s elite basketball athletes.
  • Provides advanced development, training, and athlete support.
  • Targets athletes identified, or with the potential to be identified, for national and international representation.
  • Delivered in partnership with Basketball Australia and the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
  • Identifies Queensland’s elite junior athletes for annual selection.
  • Aims to:
    • Develop athletes to international standards.
    • Prepare athletes for selection in the Australian Under 17 and Under 19 national teams.
    • Prepare athletes for scholarship opportunities at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) through Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.