The Bruton Basketball Foundation (BBF) brings Lessons 4Life to at risk and disadvantaged youth through weekly school programs and basketball camps, throughout schools in Canberra and surrounding region.

NBL Hall of Famer, Cal Bruton, OAM has drawn from his life experiences and childhood to create the BBF. Through Cal’s infectious positive attitude and amazing outlook on life – even through his own hardship – Cal demonstrates how not only to survive: but thrive!

BBF provides a structured, engaging and innovative model that enables youth access to learn from positive and engaging role models during one of the most important phases of their development. Ages 12 to 18

The Program builds in the kids the knowledge & skills they need to finish school and become positive and well-rounded individuals who help support and guide themselves and those around them into a bright future – a higher education, vocational training, professional sport or directly into a career. 

The Program inspires youth, improve their communication and provide a common language about learning the importance of what teamwork does for the youth themselves, their families, and the broader community and their role in it. We empower and promote a sense of belonging through the game of basketball.

How your donation will help

The BBF Lessons 4Life school program and basketball camps are all free of charge to the youth at risk and disadvantaged. We work with the school and the local First Nations Ngunnawal community to triage the participants based on their needs.

We are a volunteer driven NFP organisation. We get results through connection on the court with these kids. We rely on the donations to continue the Lessons 4Life program.

Basketball gives the kids a sense of belonging, empowerment and improves their learning and focus in the classroom. We see the results every day! Kids who might have fallen behind, feel that they belong, they develop a new confidence, hope and ambition in their lives. 

We are raising funds to grow within the Canberra community. Through BBF we offer employment to the youth that are continuously being turned down casual jobs even when applying in the hospitality sector. BBF employs some of the youth that grow up in the program and are ready to take on the role of assistant coach.

This is an amazing initiative because it inspires the younger youth to see one of their own become a leader to them. You can’t be what you can’t see and BBF shows them they can be anything they want to be!