Red Energy Arena and Hoop City have joined forces to bring a new era of basketball development, culture and excitement to Bendigo, with the national basketball brand set to deliver premium training opportunities, elite coaching and player development programs from the city’s premier indoor sporting venue.
The partnership will establish Hoop City Bendigo inside Red Energy Arena, a new regional franchise designed to provide aspiring basketballers across Bendigo and regional Victoria with access to high-quality coaching, industry-leading training equipment and proven development pathways. The initiative will bring the type of elite basketball experiences typically found in metropolitan centres to one of Australia’s strongest basketball communities.
Michael Gibbins, Head of Sport at BSL/Red Energy Arena; David Elliott, CEO at BSL/Red Energy Arena; Chris Moore, CEO and Co-Founder at Hoop City; Justin Schueller, Director of Coaching at Hoop City.
The first activation of the partnership will be a Hoop City Development Camp at Red Energy Arena this July, giving local athletes the opportunity to learn from some of the game’s most respected coaches and basketball personalities.
The July camp marks the beginning of the partnership, with additional Hoop City basketball programs set to launch from Red Energy Arena in the coming months. Further details on these ongoing training and player development opportunities will be announced later this year.
Bendigo Stadium Limited CEO David Elliott said the partnership represented an exciting opportunity for local players and families.
“Bendigo is a basketball city, and we’re proud to partner with Hoop City to bring this calibre of coaching and development to our community. Programs like this help create opportunities for local athletes to learn, improve and pursue their basketball goals without having to leave regional Victoria.”
Hoop City CEO and Co-Founder Chris Moore said expanding into Bendigo was a natural fit for the organisation.
“Seeing Hoop City expand into Bendigo is something I’m genuinely proud of. Regional Victoria has such a strong basketball culture, and we’re excited to invest in a community that lives and breathes the game,” Moore said.
Director of Coaching Justin Schueller said the new venture would provide a dedicated environment for players of all ages and abilities to develop their skills.
“Hoop City is about providing an environment where individuals can put in the work and thrive in their daily training. It’s exciting to bring Hoop City to the Bendigo region and provide exactly that for players at every level.”
Co-Founder and Co-Owner Chris Goulding said the partnership aligned with Hoop City’s commitment to making high-quality basketball development more accessible.
“It’s our aim to reach as many basketballers as possible. Bendigo and regional Victoria have long been a hotbed for emerging talent and dedicated players, and we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the local basketball community and invest in the future of basketball in the region,” Goulding said.
Red Energy Arena is one of Australia’s leading regional sporting venues and home to the Bendigo Braves and Bendigo Spirit. The venue hosts major national and international sporting events and welcomes thousands of participants and visitors each week.
Registrations for the Hoop City Development Camp are now open. For more information visit our Hoop City Bendigo page or register for the camp directly here.