Program Overview
The Futures Program has been developed as a targeted development pathway for selected U16, U18 and senior pathway athletes within the Cockburn Basketball Association program. Futures exposes selected athletes to higher standards, additional quality coaching, strength and conditioning, and off-court education in a structured environment that supports their continued development within the CBA pathway.
Purpose
- Provide additional high-performance development opportunities.
- Support athletes with a pathway from WABL to NBL1
- Create greater alignment between junior development, senior basketball and performance standards.
- Provide an insight into what it takes to compete in the NBL1 and beyond
- Provide a clear and consistent environment for athletes who are ready for, or tracking towards, higher-performance basketball.
- Cougar futures is a value add to our young blue and gold athletes, with load management to be considered.
Purposeful programming working toward key outcomes and events
Futures Selections
All athletes (full-time) within the U16 & U18 Teams 1 & 2 are invited to the Cougar Combine held next month. The combine will be used as a selection and testing mechanism, with final selections for the Futures program to be determined by the WABL working group and selected coaches. Athletes within Cougars Championship (D-League) and NBL1 programs may be invited to participate.
Coaches & managers are to be selected via EOI and appointed by WABL working group.
Program Timeline
Dates & Times TBD
National Tournaments
As part of the Cougar Futures Program, Cockburn Basketball Association is exploring the opportunity for selected Futures athletes to attend the Dandenong / Eltham Tournament in January 2027.
This would provide athletes with an interstate tournament experience and the opportunity to compete against strong opposition as part of their continued development within the Cougar pathway.
Purpose of the Tour
The Dandenong / Eltham Tournament component is designed to provide selected athletes with:
- Interstate tournament experience
- Exposure to strong competition outside Western Australia
- The opportunity to apply learnings from the Futures training blocks
- A higher-performance team environment
- Experience travelling, preparing and competing as part of a club representative group
- Further connection between the WABL, Championship and NBL1 pathway
Cost and Fundraising
The estimated cost of the tour is approximately $3,000 per athlete.
This forecast may include items such as:
- Return flights
- Accommodation
- Tournament registration
- Transport
- Team logistics
- Staff and support costs
- Other tour-related expenses
Cockburn Basketball Association understands that interstate travel creates a significant cost for families. The club’s intention is to support the tour through fundraising initiatives, with the goal of reducing the direct out-of-pocket cost for families as much as possible.
