A blended pathway for future leaders
The Adelaide 36ers have announced the creation of the China Basketball Academy, a semester‑long initiative that will bring together Australian schooling and high‑level basketball training for Chinese students.
Commencing in the first term of 2027, the program will be hosted at Woodville High School in Adelaide, where a cohort of just twenty Year‑10 pupils will live together in a supervised homestay environment.
The curriculum is designed to blend rigorous academic study with elite coaching, while also providing dedicated wellbeing services and cultural immersion activities to help the young athletes adapt to life in a new country.
Ross Wait, chief of external relations for the 36ers, described the academy as a unique opportunity for participants to sharpen their English, experience Australian culture and build lasting connections between the two nations.
Anna Mirasgentis, principal of Woodville High School, added that the partnership reflects a commitment to fostering diverse perspectives and global awareness through sport and education.
Beyond the classroom and the court, the academy aims to strengthen business, tourism and community ties between Australia and China, offering a model that could be replicated in other sectors.
Registrations of interest are now open, and officials anticipate strong demand despite the limited places, underscoring the program’s appeal to families seeking an integrated educational‑athletic experience.