Welcome To The Inner Game.
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At Inner Game Basketball, we believe sport should be more than learning how to dribble, shoot and pass. We believe sport is a platform for kids to learn how to think, build confidence and make friends along the way. Our mission is to help kids build their “Inner Game” whilst mastering basketball the right way.
What makes us different? We use accelerated learning techniques that not only speed up skill development but also strengthens focus, problem-solving and emotional regulation. That means your child doesn’t just improve on the court they grow in school, friendships and everyday life too.
We don’t just teach basketball.
We help your child grow as a person.
What People Are Saying
Martin - Parent
“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. Being someone with a deep appreciation of the sport as a player and a fan, I am glad that we have found Coach James to teach the boys not only the individual techniques, but also how to become a better team player, as well as the right mindset to approach the challenges on the court. 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. At the same time, he’s willing to work with parents for specific concerns or areas for improvements. While being passionate to the game with good energy, he is composed and always presented himself in a calm manner. This both gains a tone of respect from all the kids in the team that he is working with and also provides some comfort to the parents. In short, coach James is fantastic and will help aspiring basketball players to approach the game in the right way.”
Clementine - Parent
“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 favorite coach. I would recommend him to any parents or teams looking to further develop in basketball.”
Kobie - Parent
“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 its really helped develop my sons confidence. He has a great balance of teaching discipline whilst also keeping the game fun and engaging which has kept my son motivated and excited to play. His approach has built both confidence and skill and I would not hesitate to recommend James as a coach to anyone.”
Adam - Parent
“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 for the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association. 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, and conveys it to his students in an empathetic manner. A through-line in James’ coaching is self-sufficiency: getting the student to think through their basketball challenges and guiding them to a solution, rather than giving the answer, or drill, or technique change upfront. This methodology has helped my son be a more rounded basketball player (and a more thoughtful kid). I thoroughly recommend James to raise your child’s, or your game.”
Our Skills Classes
Inner Game’s skills classes run on weekends during the school term. Classes range from beginners to intermediate level players for ages 5 to 15. Our program has been carefully designed to maximize fun whilst learning the game the right way. We provide a professional structure to our classes that give your child opportunities to correct their technique, build their confidence and have fun expressing themselves on the court. Our classes focus on specific skillsets whilst incorporating real basketball games so they can play as they learn. Help your child discover the love for basketball and enroll today.
Spots in classes are limited. Don’t miss out and secure your child’s spot today
Beginner Class
Perfect for new timers. These fun and interactive classes help kids fall in love with basketball whilst building their motor skills, confidence and social IQ. Everyone is welcome.
- Ages 5 to 8 mixed
- Location: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern
- Days: Sundays during the school term
- Dates: 19 Oct to 14 Dec
- Time: 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- Fee: $225 for the 9-week term. ($25 per class)Paid Trial is available at checkout
Intermediate Class
Time to level up. Intermediate classes are great for kids with basic skills wanting to get better at the game. We dive into real game concepts to help your child problem solve, improving not only their physical skills but their cognitive ability.
- Ages 9 to 12 mixed
- Location: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern
- Days: Sundays during the school term
- Dates: 19 Oct to 14 Dec
- Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm
- Fee: $225 for the 9-week term. ($25 per class)
- Paid Trial is available at checkout
Girls Only Class
This is the Girls Club. Just like the intermediate class but for girls only. We understand that it can be a little uncomfortable for some girls to get involved in the game when boys are present. At Inner Game Basketball we decided to offer these girls only class for those individuals that might be a little intimidated. A safe space for your daughter to learn, improve and play the game without restriction.
- Ages 12 to 15 Girls Only
- Location: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern
- Days: Saturdays during school term
- Dates: 18 Oct to 13 Dec
- Time: 1:30pm to 3:00pm
- Fee: $270 for the 9-week term. ($30 per class)Paid Trial is available at checkout
Our Location
Our training sessions are held at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern. Scroll through the map below to plan your visit. We can’t wait to see you and your young player on the court.
FAQ
1. My child has never played basketball before. Can they still join?
Absolutely! Our Beginner classes (ages 5–8) are designed for kids with no experience. The focus is on fun, movement, and confidence so your child feels comfortable from day one.
2. What should my child bring to class?
A water bottle, appropriate clothes and shoes to run around in and a basketball.
3. What basketball size should I purchase my child?
For boys and girls aged 5 to 12 – Size 5For boys and girls aged 13 to 14 – Size 6For girls aged 14 and over – Size 6For boys aged 14 and over – Size 7
These guidelines are based off Basketball NSW recommendations and something Coach James highly recommends as well. An article for the reason behind these guidelines can be found here: LINK
You can purchase a ball from your local Kmart or Rebel Sports outlet.
4. How many kids are in each class?
Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 14 kids per class.
5. Who runs the classes?
All classes are run by our founder, Coach James. You can read more about him in our “About” section.
6. How do payments work?
Fees are paid upfront for the term. We also have a paid trial option for those wanting to get a feel for our program before committing to the term. Once your paid trial is over, you can email info@innergamebasketball.com to secure your spot for the rest of the term.
7. What if my child is sick and they miss a class?
If your child misses a class due to sickness, we can credit your account. All credits can go towards future programs. All we require is an email with a confirmation that your child was unwell and we can process your credit.
8. Will my child be pushed too hard?
Not at all. We group players by age and skill level so they’re always challenged appropriately but never overwhelmed. The focus is on progress and enjoyment, not unrealistic pressure.
9. What’s the pathway if my child wants to keep improving?
Great question. Most kids start in either the Beginners class or Intermediate class. When Coach James feels it’s appropriate, he will invite specific players to join a team to play in local competitions in the area. If no spots are available he will encourage players to join those leagues outside of Inner Game Basketball through various organizations. Beyond that, Coach James is looking to secure another time slot at our venue to introduce an “Advanced” class so your child can keep developing their game as they progress through the ranks.
10. Do parents need to stay during class?
For our youngest group (ages 5–8), we recommend parents stay nearby, especially in the first few weeks. For older kids, you’re welcome to watch, drop off or grab a coffee. Whatever suits.
11. How do I know this will be good for my child?
The only way you’ll know if your child enjoys our program is by getting involved. That is why we have a “Paid trial” offering so you can introduce your child to our classes without committing to an entire term. This allows you to see if they liked it and if you like the style of Coach James. In most cases, the kids that come through our doors leave with smiles on their faces and a desire to come to our next class. We pride ourselves on keeping things fun whilst learning the game the right way and we plan to keep it that way.
SKILLS CLASSES TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO WIN AT BASKETBALL
Learn the Fundamentals
The best way to increase your child’s game-time on the court is by mastering the basics first – footwork, dribbling, shooting, passing and defence.
Practice Like You Play (IQ)
We introduce game-like scenarios to help your child think like a basketball player so their skills can be transferable to the real game under pressure.
Enjoy the Process
We encourage having fun with it. We encourage mistakes and “failures” as a part of the journey. We encourage being a great team mate. We encourage learning from our wins and losses. After all, enjoying the game is what it’s all about.
How it works
Join A Class
Enrol your child into a class near you.
Support them
Encourage them to participate and enjoy the process.
Watch Them Grow
Watch your kid smile and grow from the sidelines as they discover themselves on the court.
About Inner Game Basketball
Inner Game Basketball was created by Founder James McDonald in 2025.
James re-discovered his love for basketball mid 2020 and dove into the game head first. He took his 10+ years of experience in behavioural psychology and meditation and incorporated it into learning the game.
What he found by sourcing experts in their field, including Shaun Roger of the Sydney Kings, Paul Fabriz of PJF Performance and many others, were unique learning frameworks that allowed not only himself but his youth athletes to think for themselves and problem solve whilst developing physical skills of the game.
Basketball became as much a cognitive development practice for him as much as a physical practice.
As a result of this applied knowledge, James found himself competing against ex pros, NBL1 players and Youth Rep players that were on the rise in Sydney’s higher men’s leagues.
It proved to him that with the right guidance and individual mindset, a lot can be achieved in a short amount of time if one enjoys the process.
It’s these qualities that he re-discovered about himself that he wants to pass onto kids.
Imagine a world where children grow up with phenomenal observation skills. They’re able to observe their world around them and come up with conclusions to problems they see both in their own lives and in the lives of others.
By being an environment that indirectly encourages this way of thinking, James hopes to create an impact in his community, all through the game of basketball.
And that… is how Inner Game Basketball came to be.
Why Choose Inner Game Basketball?
More Than Basketball: We build confident, resilient kids who thrive on and off the court.
Accelerated Learning: Unique methods help kids learn faster and retain skills longer.
Mind + Body Focus: Sessions develop focus, emotional regulation and problem-solving skills.
The Right Foundations: Skills taught the correct way from day one
Safe, Supportive and Engaging: Growth is at each child’s pace with FUN at its core.
Parents as Partners: Transparent communication and progress updates you can trust.
Whole Athlete Development: We go beyond sport to build character and confidence.
“Every great player starts somewhere. Let’s help your child take their first confident step on the court. Book a trial session today and watch them grow in skills, confidence and joy.”