Basketball is the hook; the court is the classroom

At Bounce, we don't believe in top-down programs or handouts. We believe in empowering local leaders.

We're not looking for professional coaches; Bounce is awarding grants to community organisations, youth workers, and local coaches ready to use basketball to unlock employment skills and build a resilient mindset in the young people in their community. It’s about using the court as a classroom to teach life skills, build mental toughness, and help young people land real jobs.​​

We believe basketball is the hook, and the court becomes the classroom. We're not just funding sports programs; we are investing in local leaders (present and future) who can use the game to teach critical life skills, build mental resilience, and create direct pathways to employment for young people at risk in their communities.​

What does "Courts as Classrooms" mean?

It means we don't fund traditional, competitive sports teams. Instead, we back leaders who use the huddle, the timeout, and the game itself to teach young people how to handle pressure, communicate clearly, and prepare for employment.​​

We help you use the game of basketball to give your youth a better shot at the game of life.

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WHAT YOU RECEIVE

Up to $5,000 (first year) + Bounce Club Kits + Ongoing Training

​​​​​​​​​​​We have 3 levels of partnership available:

When you partner with us and start running your own Bounce Club, you get access to a program designed for immediate impact. This can include:

• Direct Financial Grants: Funding to help sustain your Club and employ youth leaders.
• Bounce Club Kits: A complete physical Kit shipped directly to you including basketballs, coaching gear, player t-shirts, and digital access to further training - including simple one-page session sheets which you can use to run your programs straight away.
• Ongoing Training: Regularly updated, easy-to-use training modules that translate sports drills into employment readiness and emotional resilience.

​​Grant Funding Rules

If you are applying for a Funded partnership, you must agree to our Three Golden Rules:

1. 100% Free for Youth: The basketball sessions you run with our funding must be completely free for all young people to attend. You cannot charge families, players, or participants any fees.
2. Employ a Youth Coach: You must use a portion of this grant money to hire and pay at least one local young person (aged 18–24) to work as a Youth Coach at your Club. This creates an immediate job pathway in your local neighbourhood.
3. Follow Our Philosophy: You must agree to use the Bounce training on the court. It’s about using the court as a classroom to teach life skills, build mental toughness, and help young people land real jobs.

Powered and Supported Clubs do not necessarily need to meet all these requirements.

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WHO CAN APPLY?

Anyone! We welcome leaders and communities from all over the world.

Our primary mission is supporting at-risk communities and young people. We aren't looking for professional elite coaches; Bounce supports community organisations, youth workers, and local leaders - but you must be ready to use the court as a classroom to teach life skills, build mental toughness, and help young people land real jobs - with our support!

You can apply for full program funding, or opt to apply for just equipment or just training access depending on what your community needs most. If you are applying for financial funding, you can apply as a sole trader or an organisation - you just need an ABN (or your international equivalent) and active insurance.

If you are a local coach, youth leader, or sports club coordinator looking to make a difference for the young people in your community, we can help.