Phoenix in the Community Presented by HART Sport

South East Melbourne Phoenix prides itself being a community focussed club. 

A club based in a region with a rich basketball history, the Phoenix has a goal to not only be part of the basketball community but the wider community of the region.  

The clubs mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of people living in SE Melbourne, with Phoenix being part of the community not just representing it. 

(Young fans engaging with Kyle Adnam at our Heartland Hoops Holiday Camp presented by HART Sport.)

“From the minute we chose South East Melbourne we started thinking about how we could have an impact on the community at large,” said Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer. 

“It’s true that this area is the Heartland of basketball, it’s the capital of basketball in Australia. That’s just a fact you can’t argue with. 25% of Australia’s registered basketballers reside in South East Melbourne. 

“We were confident we could give them what they so richly deserved and has missed for so long, a competitive team playing at the highest level in Australia to follow. 

“But our other goal was equally as important, how can we have a positive effect on the community, and how can we embed ourselves in the community of the South East. Our community programs are an enormous part of that,” said Greer.  

Phoenix programs are not about profit, every dollar that is made goes back into funding existing community programs and creating new ones.  

(Phoenix have always made a key focus to become an active part of the South East Community.)

Community Programs/Initiatives   

Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Mental health issues have risen over the last few years due to COVID-19 pandemic, with 16.7% of the South East Melbourne population living with a mental illness. Hospitalisation for self-harm and mental health related concerns are higher in SEM than the average state. Half of mental health concerns that people experience at some point in their lives can happen by the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 25.  

Phoenix chose to focus on this cause in the Heartland as they can play a unique role in growing the platform and voice in the community through the role models of the athletes who can share their own stories and insights.

Flight Path 

Flight Path is an online e-learning platform with resilience courses for secondary students in year 8 and 9. It combines the skills and behaviours required to succeed in elite sport and apply them in a way that equips students with the mindset, skills, and performance behaviour to excel in life. Students will learn from stories and advice from Phoenix players and staff while completing an interactive activities, quizzes and digital activity book aligned with the current Victorian curriculum.  

Making the program digital allows Phoenix players to be more accessible and increase resilience for young people, particularly reaching those in rural and remote settings. 

The program is free to access for all secondary schools. To find out more contact catheriner@semphoenix.com.au  

(Cam Gliddon featuring in one of our Phoenix Soar school program videos.)

Phoenix Soar 

Phoenix Soar is a way to allow Phoenix to reconnect with the school communities and junior fans in a face-to-face delivery model. A four-week program conducted in primary schools for grade five and six students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to recognise, regulate, and speak openly about their emotions, after doing remote learning and lockdowns for the past few years due to COVID-19 pandemic.  

It is important to practice good mental health and linking it with basketball terminology, skills and knowledge through athlete storytelling, group discussions, class activities, and game-based learning on court can allow for improving the mental health outcomes for primary school students.  

For 2022, there is currently 3,000 students enrolled to participate in the program, and more on the waiting list. 

Heartland Hoops  

Heartland Hoops is the rebranded holiday camps/clinics for ages 5 to 17. They are carried out during every school holiday across the Heartland that include a one-day or two-day camp for junior basketballers from ages 5-11 to learn new skills, make friends and connect with their Phoenix Heroes. The intensive session for ages 12 to 17 allow older children to learn from SEMP coaches and the camps also include Rolling Phoenix for wheelchair participants.  

Phoenix Community aim to make the camps an all-inclusive opportunity and for everybody to have the opportunity to participate and all participants will receive exclusive merchandise. 

(Young fans enjoying a Hearltand Hoops Holiday Camp session presented by HART Sport.)

GameTime by Kmart 

GameTime by Kmart is an entertaining and engaging event for primary schools allowing students to learn how to play basketball, develop skills, then meet and play against Phoenix players. Primary school children from Prep to Grade 6 will participate in basketball clinics and then in the afternoon play 5 v 5 against Phoenix athletes in a friendly game. 

There have been nearly 20,000 registered participants in 2022. To register your school to have this amazing event click HERE. 

Heartland Tournament  

Phoenix is partnering with three major basketball associations in the Heartland which is the first of its kind. The association include along with SEMP is Knox Basketball Incorporated, Frankston & District Basketball Association and Kilsyth Basketball Association. 

The inaugural tournament was due to be done in 2021 but was cancelled due to COVID-19. The competition will represent the Heartland of basketball which will take place annually on Melbourne Cup weekend each year.

Inclusion Project 

A new program for Phoenix Community being piloted with Hawthorn Football Club is having a sensory place at John Cain Arena. SEMP and JCA staff will receive training on the Sunflower Lanyard program which allows individuals with hidden disabilities to show they may need a little extra support. Participants of the program will receive a SEMP storybook, highlighting any sensory sensitivities that may occur during at the game. Selected Phoenix games will also include a sensory room with trained occupational therapists creating an inclusive and welcoming space that allow Phoenix fans to enjoy the game day experience in a safe space. 

For more information about the program contact matthewf@semphoenix.com.au  

(Volunteer Luke Swan has been a key member of our Coverforce Heartland Crew since our first ever Phoenix game.)

Coverforce Heartland Crew  

The volunteers of the Coverforce Heartland Crew are a team of passionate and selfless people that come from all walks of life but are bought together with the common love for basketball and the club. They deliver the entertaining match day experience for all Phoenix fans when they volunteer their time and expertise. The crew members help with everything from setting up the stadium, the membership counter to the Phoenix Nest corporate functions. The people who volunteer are part of the Phoenix family, creating a sense of community with connecting Phoenix staff and performance team.  

There are over 200 registered volunteers with 40 volunteers attending the round 1 game, if you are interested in joining the community of passionate Phoenix fans, please register your interest HERE. 

(Hawthorn's Jarman Impey impressed with our Indigenous jersey designed by Katie Bugden.)

 Indigenous Round presented by Kangaroo Jack 

Every year Phoenix participates in the NBL’s Indigenous Round, which is an opportunity to educate Phoenix fans about reconciliation and Indigenous culture. Phoenix showcase an Indigenous artist through the special Indigenous Round jersey and for this season proud Wiradjuri Kamilaroi woman Katie Bugden designed the jersey. On game day, the entertainment features a range of Indigenous artists and cultural performances. At the conclusion of the round, the match worn jersey are auctioned with part of the proceeds donated to Worawa Aboriginal College.  

Partner Kangaroo Jack have produced a line of Indigenous merchandise with part of the proceeds donated to the Koorie Academy. To buy the special Phoenix x Kangaroo Jack merchandise, click HERE. 

(Starlight round is one of our biggest home games of the year as we raise funds to help brighten the lives of sick kids.)

Starlight Children’s Foundation

Each season Phoenix dedicates one home game to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Straight’s mission is to brighten the lives of sick kids, helping kids of all ages regardless of disability, injury, or illness because what happens in childhood lasts a lifetime. 

For the NBL20/21 season, Phoenix fans raised over $10k for Starlight. This seasons Starlight Game will be held at the end of February.  

For more information regarding any Phoenix Community programs, please contact community@semphoenix.com.au

Phoenix Media (23/02/2022)