Episode One
Humble Beginnings
Our five-part journey begins in Kunnunarra, a small town in the remote East Kimberly region of Western Australia. 3040km from the State Capital of Perth there are not a lot of opportunities up here for professional coaching.
So there was quite a buzz when the Pioneers Basketball program rolled into town with the US coaching crew to running some drills with the local mob.
Episode Two
Connection to Country
In the Kimberley region, the suicide rate among Aboriginal people is seven times the national average, with youth-related issues making headlines.
Amidst this crisis, a new beacon of hope emerges as we delve into the story of the 'Giga' people from the remote community of Warmun. While renowned for their artistic talents, could basketball be the unlikely pathway to fame and success for their next superstar export?
Episode Three
Gems in the Pilbara
The area around the Western Australian town of Karratha is home to some of the biggest iron ore operations in the world, but could there be some sporting gems in the Pilbara?
In this episode the Pioneers Basketball program and their Philadelphia (USA) coaching crew visit two contrasting communities ... Karratha and Roebourne, that illustrate the difference between black and white Australia.
Episode Four
Bright Lights, Big League
Pioneers team member DJ (Diquane) has come a long way from his remote community in north-western Australia to join the rest of the squad in Los Angeles, California on the first stop of the journey of a lifetime.
The team hit up the Bright Lights and the Big League that is the cultural and sports mecca of all things American.
Episode Five
Culture and Connection
In the final leg of the journey , the team travels to Haida Gwaii and experiences an indigenous life a world away from their own. Instilled with pride and a newfound cultural appreciation, the team shine on and off the court, as new connections are made.
With an injury cloud over some key Pioneers players can match the fiece Maori team from Aotearoa-New Zealand in the final?
“Pioneers gives young people the opportunity not only to excel in sport but also in education and training. Participants are telling me that Pioneers gives them a sense of belonging, with young people joining for the camaraderie and also to extend themselves.”
Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM.
THE PIONEERS STORY SO FAR...
This videos above share the Pioneers vision for the program in remote and rural communities to use basketball, as opposed to the failed welfare system, to assist Aboriginal young people to overcome their social, emotional, cultural and economic poverty.
The story of The Pioneers went on hold due to Covid-19 and funding issues have led to the program being discontinued. Our hope is that these stories spark the next generation of Indigenous pioneers to pursue a dream of playing professional basketball in the USA.
