Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA) and Olympian Patty Mills (pictured) have announced significant key partnerships for the IBA’s inaugural season.
The IBA’s key partners include global sportswear performance brand Under Armour, supermarket Coles, the world’s biggest basketball supplier Spalding and specialty officiating brands Ref Warehouse and ARCHER Officials.
Founded by Patty Mills, NBA Champion, three-time Olympian and proud Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander, the IBA will deliver programs and competitions that create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through the power of sport.
It follows Mills’ commitment to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to ‘own their story’. IBA will work to help young people overcome the barriers and challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face in the current Australian basketball structures.
IBA works from a grassroots level to give young people the skills to thrive both on and off the court.
Patty Mills said, “the idea of Indigenous Basketball Australia is a product of my own personal journey and its purpose is to impart this experience to help support, motivate and inspire the next generation. I am incredibly humbled by the caliber of partners that have come on board to support IBA.”
“Together, we are building a one of a kind program and creating a safe and positive environment that will allow my people to flourish.”
Under Armour will be the official apparel provider for all athletes participating in IBA tournaments and competitions. Under Armour will design and supply the jerseys for the Indigenous Community Basketball League, which started on Sunday the 7th of February.
They will provide performance apparel for training and game days of the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament, scheduled for April 2021.
“Under Armour has long been committed to making athletes better, but in order to be better, athletes require the opportunity in the first place,” said Fernando Reani, Managing Director of Under Armour Australia and New Zealand.
Spalding will provide balls and ball carts for IBA competitions and practices. Limited edition signed Paty Mills Spalding balls will be available for promotions and prizes throughout the tournaments.
Chris Lambert, managing Director of Spalding Australia said, “as a key stakeholder of basketball across Australia, it is important that Spalding support initiatives such as IBA to foster growth and development in the game amongst our diverse communities.”
“We hope that our alignment with IBA results in broadening the reach of the game to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Coles is the official refreshments provider for participants and representatives for the IBA’s inaugural year. The partnership will focus on the importance of prioritising health and wellbeing at all levels of the game.
Finally, Ref Warehouse is the Referee Equipment Partner and ARCHER Officials is the Referee Apparel Partner, and will be providing custom uniforms including an Indigenous-designed shirt for all IBA referees.
