Ausome Hoops

We sit down with Phoebe from Ausome Hoops to discuss the importance of inclusive sports for kids with Autism.

Why did you start Ausome Hoops?

Ausome Hoops is a specifically designed basketball program for young people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I started Ausome Hoops in July 2019 as a result of witnessing my younger brother's experiences in sporting programs. He struggled to stick to a sport for more than six months, due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of his personal needs from the coaches and his peers. 

I recognised the huge need for Autism-inclusive programs in the area, so when I was 16 I approached my local basketball club with the idea of a basketball program specifically for young people with ASD. On the 4th of July in 2019, Ausome Hoops ran a program for the first time, during the school holidays. We welcomed 28 kids aged between 6-16 years old, and the camp was a massive success. From there, we were able to set up a weekly program running on Sunday mornings. 

Since 2019, Ausome Hoops has gone on to run several camps at the Mornington Peninsula, as well as our weekly program. We also began our expansion, and started an exciting journey with a holiday program at Dandenong Basketball in July 2021, with hopes to set up a weekly program within the next 18 months. We hope to expand to other clubs in the future.

Why do you believe Ausome Hoops is a way to empower people with autism?

Studies have shown that children on the spectrum are less active than those who aren't on the spectrum, and Ausome Hoops seeks to change that. Young people with ASD often aren’t given the same opportunities as those participating in mainstream sport, and it’s difficult to get them into mainstream programs due to their individual needs that constantly need to be considered. 

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience basketball, and want to give as many young people that opportunity as possible.

I imagine your program has connected many people in and out of the ASD community. What sort of (success) stories have inspired you in the work you do?

Throughout my journey with Ausome Hoops, I've learnt that it takes one person who cares, to make a difference. It only takes one person to care enough, to work and push for what they believe will make the world a better place. 

In our two years of Ausome Hoops, we have never had a ‘bad review’ as such, and parents are unable to fault the program. After every holiday camp, we give the parents a feedback form that lets us know what we can change to make the program better, and have only received positive feedback. I give this credit to our team of staff who make our programs as enjoyable as possible.

Students at Ausome Hoops practicing shooting hoop maneuver

How does something like this also benefit those without autism?

Not only has Ausome Hoops benefited those with ASD, but also those not on the spectrum. Our team at Ausome Hoops is made up of basketball coaches and players, teachers aides, special education teachers and university students studying occupational therapy. 

Over the past two years, our team has become a second family to not only myself, but I'm sure to others too. The majority of our weekly program coaches are still in high school, and they give up their precious weekend time to come and coach. 

Ausome Hoops has also positively impacted our players' families. We’ve found that it gives parents the chance to connect with other parents, who would otherwise find themselves isolated in a mainstream program. Many friendships have been born through Ausome Hoops, and I hope they continue to do so. 

I believe that Ausome Hoops has the potential to become an internationally recognised program, and hope to work on this more in the next few years. Ausome Hoops gets bigger and bigger each year, and we are extremely excited to see what the future holds for us. 

WORDS: JESSIE WANG
PHOTOGRAPHY:AUSOME HOOPS