James has been coaching my 12 year old daughter for two terms and has already made a real difference to her confidence and skills. He is genuinely invested in her development and takes the time to support her growth on the court. That care shows clearly in the way she plays now — with more confidence, consistency and belief in herself.
James has been a wonderful basketball coach for my son and his team over the past few years. We have found James to be super encouraging and motivating and it's really helped develop my son's confidence. He has a great balance of teaching discipline whilst also keeping the game fun and engaging.
James is an excellent coach. He is wonderful with kids and knows how to teach them and motivate them. Our son thrived under his guidance and really developed as a player. James is knowledgeable, experienced and kind. He is our son's favourite coach. I would recommend him to any parents or teams looking to further develop in basketball.
What we offer
Every kid is different. Some want to make the school team. Some just want a place where they belong. We meet them where they are.
Skills Classes
Structured group sessions where they'll build fundamentals, make friends, and compete in a supportive environment. Beginner to intermediate. The place most kids start.
Weekends | Redfern | Ages 5–14 Learn more1-on-1 Coaching
Private sessions built entirely around your kid. The fastest way to improve, with a plan designed for their goals and their game.
Flexible schedule | Willoughby, Alexandria & Moore Park Learn moreGroup Sessions
Bring their friends or teammates. Small group training with individual attention and the energy of working together.
Small groups of 2–4 | Willoughby, Alexandria & Moore Park Learn moreHoliday Camps
Multi-day camps where they'll make the biggest skill jumps and have the most fun. Full days of basketball, games, and new friendships.
School holidays | Ages 5–14 Learn moreThe Inner Game
Most coaching is about what happens on the court. We care about what happens inside your kid.
We teach proper skills — footwork, shooting, ball handling, game IQ. But we also teach them to back themselves. To try things they haven't tried before. To get up after a bad play and go again.
That's the inner game. And it shows up everywhere — not just on the court.
"Basketball is the vehicle. What we're really building is confidence, resilience, and a belief that they belong in the world."
More from our community
Player testimonial"Having Coach James as my coach was definitely one of the best things that ever happened to my basketball journey. I started playing basketball when I was 11 years old and have continued ever since. Over the years, I've had many coaches who helped me grow and develop my skills, but none had a more significant impact as Coach James."
"What I loved most about Coach James's approach was that he didn't focus on whether the shot went in or not, his priority was always on developing good form and technique. Once you mastered one skill, he would make it more challenging so that you were continually improving. Thanks to Coach James, I grew into a more confident and well-rounded player who wasn't afraid to take on challenges and step outside my comfort zone. He didn't just teach me how to play better; he taught me how to believe in myself and always push past my limits."
Coach James has not only helped my daughters improve their basketball skills, but also instilled confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of teamwork. His coaching style is encouraging and highly motivating, creating an environment where students feel supported while still being challenged to grow. With his help, Kelly has improved significantly in her team performance this term and Ruby has become a crucial part of her team.
My boys in year 5 and year 7 have been training with Coach James in both private and team basketball training for several months now. Coach James is very capable of structuring the training sessions tailored to the boys' developmental needs. Timely feedback during the game, training or encouragement afterwards are always there. While being passionate to the game with good energy, he is composed and always presented himself in a calm manner. In short, Coach James is fantastic and will help aspiring basketball players to approach the game in the right way.
My son has been taught by James over the last five years in a variety of different settings, ranging from private lessons, to group skills coaching and team training. From young beginners on their first dribbling drills to guiding a team through challenging technical concepts, James displays a strong depth and breadth of knowledge. A through-line in James' coaching is self-sufficiency: getting the student to think through their basketball challenges and guiding them to a solution. This methodology has helped my son be a more rounded basketball player (and a more thoughtful kid). I thoroughly recommend James.
Meet Coach James
Growing up, I had potential but I never committed to the thing I loved. It took walking past a basketball court in my late twenties for it to finally click — I love this game.
I started from scratch. Nervous. Scrambling. Passing up open shots. But I kept showing up — and what started as fun turned into something that changed how I saw myself. The confidence I built on the court became confidence in who I was.
That's why I started Inner Game. Every kid deserves a place where they can discover what they're capable of — not through hype, but through showing up, doing the work, and finding something real inside themselves.
Ready to see what your kid is capable of?
Every kid who trains with us started exactly where yours is right now. The first step is showing up.
No commitment. No pressure. Just a chance to see if it's right for them.