The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will deliver transformational change across Queensland, leaving behind new infrastructure, inspiring participation, and building lasting community benefits. For basketball, it also presents a unique opportunity: to establish a State Basketball Centre that reflects the sport’s growth and positions Queensland as a leader in the decades ahead.

Currently, Queensland is the only state in Australia without a central home for basketball. With participation continuing to rise and demand for facilities exceeding supply, the need for a purpose-built venue that supports both community and elite levels of the sport is becoming increasingly clear.

This need has been identified by key Basketball Queensland studies and strategies including Raising the Game (SMC Strategies, 2020 -2025) and the Basketball Queensland Facilities Strategy (Solucio, 2025), which identifies a current shortfall of 223 courts across Queensland.

Basketball has experienced sustained growth across Queensland, with participation increasing by 101% over the last 6 years and more than 70,000 people now involved in clubs, schools, and programs. That growth has created pressure on existing facilities, particularly in Brisbane, where court availability often fails to meet demand. Programs are capped, children are being waitlisted, and volunteers are stretched to accommodate growing interest. Planning for development of a home for Basketball at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, Queensland has progressed to date in collaboration with Stadiums Queensland and the Queensland Government.

In May 2025, Tango Projects and Cox Architects were engaged by Basketball Queensland to produce updated preliminary studies in relation to the development of this new facility. These studies have now been completed.

The Chandler Indoor Sports Centre concept presents a strategically aligned, costed, and adaptable infrastructure solution.  It also directly addresses Brisbane’s critical community basketball court shortfall while contributing to Olympic legacy outcomes.

This challenge extends beyond participation. While Queensland continues to produce athletes capable of competing at the highest levels, they are not currently receiving the same quality of high-performance services and facilities available in other states. In the past 12 months alone, more than 14 junior Queensland athletes have represented Australia on the international stage, demonstrating the depth of talent emerging from the state. A State Basketball Centre would help ensure those athletes, and the many more to follow, can access the same high-quality environment at home that their peers enjoy elsewhere.

“Basketball’s growth has been significant in recent years, but the facilities that support it have not kept pace,” said Fiona Allen, Chair of Basketball Queensland.

“Over the past six years, basketball participation in Queensland has grown by 101%,supported by a rising number of accredited coaches and referees. That growth is a sign of the sport’s strength, but it’s also creating new pressure on facilities with over 10,000 participants on waitlists throughout the State with the highest concentration of these being in Brisbane.”

“A centralised hub at Chandler, is a step forward in addressing the 223 Court shortage so that the infrastructure keeps pace with the demand and continues to support everyone involved in the game.”

The proposed State Basketball Centre would be designed to serve the full basketball ecosystem. During the day, it would provide space for school programs, clinics, wheelchair basketball, and other inclusive activities. In the evenings and on weekends, it could host competitions, development programs, and high-performance training, supported by facilities such as strength and conditioning spaces, sport science labs, and coaching and analytics rooms.

“This is about creating a space that elevates every part of the game, from grassroots participation to the highest levels of performance,” said Joshua Pascoe, CEO of Basketball Queensland.

“With over 1,500 athletes in our Performance and Pathways Programs, including our Wheelchair High Performance and Ivor Burge performance programs the need for a centralised hub is clear.”

Significant investment is already being directed into sporting infrastructure ahead of the Games, including the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre and the Logan Indoor Sports Centre. These projects will provide much-needed additional capacity and will serve their communities well into the future.

However, neither facility is intended to serve as the home of basketball in Queensland. A dedicated State Basketball Centre at Chandler would compliment these projects and complete the broader infrastructure network needed to support the sport’s continued growth.

Comparatively, Victoria offers a strong example of how impactful a dedicated basketball centre can be. The State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South, one of the largest basketball facilities in the southern hemisphere, includes 18 courts, a 1,000-seat show court, administrative headquarters, recovery facilities, and high-performance training areas. The centre has become a focal point for participation, talent development, and major events, demonstrating the wider benefits that a purpose-built venue can deliver.

Queensland now has the opportunity to build a facility with similar ambition, one that supports the state’s growing basketball community while positioning it for long-term success.

As one of Australia’s greatest players, Lauren Jackson understands the importance of legacy beyond the Games. The Basketball Hall of Famer, four-time Olympian and former WNBA champion said the Brisbane 2032 opportunity is about leaving something meaningful for future generations.

“Basketball in Queensland is growing faster than ever, but our infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with that demand. Too many kids are missing out because there simply aren’t enough courts or facilities to support the next wave of players, coaches, and officials,” said Lauren Jackson.

“If we want to continue growing the game and building a legacy toward Brisbane 2032 and beyond, we need a true home for basketball in Queensland, one that inspires inclusion, connection, and opportunity for all.”

By the time the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive, a State Basketball Centre could be hosting school clinics, inclusive programs, development pathways, and high-performance training under one roof. It could become a central meeting place for the basketball community and a cornerstone of Queensland’s sporting infrastructure.

A dedicated venue would also strengthen the pathway for Queensland athletes representing at the next level. For players like Miela Sowah, Queensland junior, Australian representative and WNBL player for the Townsville Fire, the benefits of access to a high-performance home base are clear.

“As a Queensland junior, having a dedicated home for basketball in the state would represent an incredible investment in the future of our athletes. Establishing a central facility that provides a high-performance environment would elevate the standard of the game and empower the next generation of Queensland basketballers to reach their full potential,” said Miela Sowah.

With participation continuing to rise, pathways expanding, and demand for courts showing no signs of slowing, the case for a dedicated home for basketball is clear.

A State Basketball Centre would not only meet the needs of today’s players, coaches, officials and volunteers, it would also create a legacy that benefits Queensland communities for generations to come.