Investigation and Exploration of Sport for Social Impact Internationally, with a Specific Examination of Basketball Programming for Indigenous Populations in Australia

With this funding, I will travel to rural Australia to collect data, field reporting, interviews, and research of the impact of grassroots organizations utilizing basketball as a tool for social change and impact within Indigenous communities. These marginalized communities–often ignored by government and given minimal funding or programming support–record some of the highest rates of youth suicide, substance abuse, and health challenges amongst populations worldwide. Several non-profits in Australia, including Hoops4Health and Helping Hoops, have worked to alter these outcomes by utilizing sport–in this case, basketball–to improve the lives of Indigenous youth through a multi-prong approach. I will observe the programming at various levels and communities, engage with participants and coaches, and collect data on the efficacy and impact.