Right from the start with registration, throughout the trials, receiving trial performance feedback, and selection details, all through to the preparation of departure; the experience with AUSA was just so professional, organised, clear and personally designed.

While our daughter was on tour we were kept updated regularly, had access to the full itinerary, tournament livestream and playing results, and daily confirmation that she was safe & well! Our daughter had the opportunity to experience full US College living, in a dormitory with study hall, practice and tournament play as well as College visits with their Coaches.

In the past months since the AUSA US tour has concluded, our daughter received regular contact from Colleges and Coaches who had seen her play, which has now resulted in multiple offers to join their US Women’s basketball programs.

We wanted to thank the entire AUSA Hoops Team for giving our daughter the incredible opportunity to play in front of college coaches, for the help navigating the college process and for the personal care & support given pre & post the AUSA tour.

Our daughter is so proud to be part of the AUSA Hoops family, she’s super grateful for the opportunities your program has offered and she’s really excited about her future – we just genuinely thank all the Coaches & Staff at AUSA so much, you guys are amazing!!

- EVAN & CATHY MILLS

I have identical twin boys – Lucas and Mackenzie - who have long had a dream play US college basketball. To be honest, it didn’t look promising until recently. Both boys missed out on Div 1 Rep sides in their junior years, were rarely selected for things like D-League and never made a state team before Under 18s. Then COVID made it very hard to get US coaches’ attention, particularly with experienced College Seniors having extra years of availability and the option of the transfer portal.

The twins were classic late bloomers. There are plenty of reasons for that – they were tiny for most of their junior careers, but then grew from 5’4” to 6’4” between the ages of 16 and 18. But a big part of their development was the training at AUSA Facility. The coaching from people like Sepo was first-class and took their basketball to another level. The strength and conditioning training also made a huge difference – at 18 years of age, the boys suddenly looked at home in serious competitions like NBL1. The positive vibe of the place also led them to have more swagger on the court.

Unfortunately, there were still no College offers forthcoming because of a lack of exposure…until the boys enrolled to tour US on an AUSA Hoops tour. We had one more setback in the lead-up to the tournament – Mackenzie broke his thumb and wasn’t going to be able to play. But we sent him anyway so that he could at least meet with and talk to some of the coaches.

I was staggered at the level of interest the tournament generated in the boys - even Mackenzie who couldn’t get on the court! Admittedly, it helped that Mackenzie had his identical twin on the court, which gave some sort of indication about Mackenzie could do, but I really wasn’t expecting offers for a kid who couldn’t playing.

It is safe to say the whole experience really is a reflection of AUSA’s clever tournament selection and trusted relationship with so many US Coaches. In the end the boys ended up with multiple offers – one College even offered both boys. Once again, Sepo provided thoughtful advice all the way through on the best options for each of the boys and is still in touch when we need advice.

I would not hesitate to recommend the AUSA training and AUSA tour experience to anyone looking for a US College opportunity.

- GLENN MORGAN

My daughters, Emma and Rebecca, have immersed themselves in the AUSA basketball community and facilities since they opened in Alexandria in 2021, and their games have come on leaps and bounds.

Emma had been wondering about US college for a while and signed up for AUSA’s AAU tour this year. The expert and candid advice and support she received from AUSA coaches over many months, about the pros and cons of US college, and types of colleges that would be a good fit for her, helped Emma with her decision to go for it!

AUSA then reached out to their network, spoke to college coaches about Emma, and were able to quickly generate interest from a number of great D1 colleges. As a result, Emma is now delighted to have committed to Iona University in NY, which we believe will be a great fit for her.

The entire team at AUSA – the basketball coaches, physios, performance coaches, and college recruitment team - have been incredible, and all work together to provide an integrated and coordinated program for Emma and Rebecca. The AUSA community has been a huge part of the girls’ development and progress so far, and Rebecca can’t wait to start on her own college pathway with the AUSA team!

- BARRY DONNELLY

 We became involved with AUSA Hoops because we needed an avenue for our son to be exposed to US College Coaches; in the hopes of him gaining a scholarship to a four-year division one program. He had represented his state for a number of years but had not garnered any solid interest from Schools. Having seen the calibre of players that had attended the tours in previous years (that had been offered scholarships) we knew that it was a legitimate option. (Past players have included notable State representatives as well as players that have represented Australia).

The results from the tour far exceeded our expectations. From being showcased at one tournament our son received a number of division one scholarship offers of which we are extremely grateful and could not have been done by highlight videos alone. We feel that the ability to have their teams play in certified AAU tournaments is the defining factor. Many families sign their child up to play in tournaments; believing that just because their child is travelling to the US to play; that they will be seen by coaches, this is simply not the case. AUSA Hoops have the experience and knowledge among their administration and Coaches to ensure not only that their teams will be showcased at tournaments that matter but also provide honest and realistic feedback about your expectations.

AUSA provides the avenue to explore all options NCAA Divisions 1,2,3 as well as NAIA and Junior Colleges. The staff went above and beyond what we would have expected. Flynn drove our son three hours to visit one of the schools that had offered so he could experience the campus firsthand and meet with the coaching staff on a more personal level, while Steve was always available to discuss any questions that we had, (pre and post-tour) he assisted us with eligibility questions and provided guidance with his knowledge on Schools, coaches and conferences in the NCAA system which enabled us to make an educated decision on where our son would attend University.

The attention to detail that AUSA demonstrates during the planning of their tours is second to none. The training facilities at the AP Ranch in Dallas are world-class, we were always kept fully informed and updated with their training schedule and playing results throughout the trip and always felt that our son was in a safe environment.

We are extremely grateful to AUSA Hoops for the work that they have done for our family and are
more than happy to recommend them as a legitimate program to become involved with, their
staff are professional, friendly and operate with integrity.

- JENELLE & PERO CAMERON

Ian and I would like to thank you for the wonderful opportunity you gave my son. We greatly appreciate the personal support and advice you have given him and the excellent program you arranged for the athletes whilst on tour.

My son has valued greatly your support of him over the last 6 or so months and we really appreciate the time that you give Sean.

After the first tour, my son commented that it was the single best development opportunity he had ever had in basketball and felt that he improved greatly. He was very excited to return for this recent tour.

Sean said the standard of coaching was excellent. He felt he learned so much from your coaching staff, from other players and from playing in tournaments. Sean thoroughly embraced the opportunity to compete against some of the best athletes in the USA and learn. We are so isolated here in Australia and tours such as these are enormously valuable.

I know we will be in touch over the coming weeks (and months) and when you have time I have some questions to ask.
In the meantime, I wanted to ensure that you knew that Ian and I, and my son are extremely grateful for the opportunity AUSA Hoops gave him.

AUSA Hoops have the experience and knowledge among their administration and coaches to ensure not only that their teams will be showcased at tournaments that matter but also provide honest and realistic feedback about your expectations.

The staff went above and beyond what we would have expected. The attention to detail that AUSA demonstrates during the planning of their tours is second to none.

We are extremely grateful to AUSA Hoops for the work that they have done for our family.

— PENNY BAIRSTOW

We just wanted to take this time to convey our heart-felt appreciation for your contribution and inputs into our daughter’s participation in the AUSA Emerald Team at the recent tournament in the USA.

It was a pleasure receiving regular updates and witnessing the team’s progress, results, challenges and positives. You had the unenviable challenge of bringing a group of seven individuals together to form a team. However, under your leadership, direction and counsel the girls became a highly functional and competitive outfit.

We have always taught our daughter that leadership is the ability to influence others in the ethical pursuit of the mission. Your philosophy and guidance to the team throughout the tournament has been to be good at the basics. It was at these moments the girls achieved greatness as they individually and collectively embraced each challenge and bonded strongly under your leadership and direction.

Notwithstanding the results and eventual standings, this has been a life-changing experience that will propel each of the girls forward in their respective journeys throughout life. Apart from the myriad of positives they will all take away from such a great tournament and experience, they are now more culturally enriched and have newly-formed friendships and memories that will last forever. For that we thank you.

— KYLYE CLASSON

We wanted to write and send our heartfelt thanks to you both; our son has had a terrific AUSA trip. We are receiving a slow and steady drip-feed of updates from him, some of the things we know he has appreciated include:

The staff, team and friendships he’s formed.
The coaching, fitness work, scrimmages and of course tournaments with the opportunity to be ‘seen’ by US college scouts.
“The team has been awesome.” “Timmy is fantastic”.
The venue, facilities and food. “There was plenty of good food!”
The various trips, bowling, movie-going, college tours, shopping etc.
For our part, we’ve appreciated all of the above and the balanced development, care and support you have provided and continue to provide in getting Will ready. We can see that the trip itself is a step in a longer, considered process of before, during and after trip activity including preparing his video, marketing him to colleges, travel arrangements, Facebook updates, photos, trip reports, and post-trip briefings and continued ‘marketing’ to US colleges.

We’ve loved reading the trip reports and seeing the pictures on the way through.

Bottom line, your experience and network is providing more learning, positive experience and ultimately the opportunity to our son – thank you!

— NIGEL & SUE STEWART

As parents of a 16-year-old heading over to the US to play basketball and complete his high school academics, we were very hesitant. Having our son overseas in a relatively strange country with no family support and also the fact we would miss him greatly was on our minds.

Well, in hindsight, I do not know what we were worried about. His academics have picked up due to the 1:11 teacher-student ratio and he received all the support he required from the school. We were kept informed of his grades and how he was coping through the school’s onsite counsellor. As he was a boarding student, we had to give our consent for him to leave school grounds.

The school took him in and they became part of his family away from home and we were assured he was in safe hands. The school is fantastic!

As for his basketball, his skills have increased dramatically and this also goes for his athleticism. Something he could not have achieved here in Australia. But, this is not just about academia and basketball. He has also gained so much personally.

Our son has received worldly knowledge we couldn’t give him at home. He now has friends from different parts of the world, and has learnt to cope for himself in a safe environment. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Don’t think twice, if the opportunity arises grab it with both hands and go for it. You will not be disappointed.

This was all achieved through AUSA Hoops. Rhys and Steve have always keep in contact with Daniel and the school to see how he is and his plans for the future. They looked after him very well. I can not thank AUSA Hoops enough for what they have done for us. They work tirelessly to ensure our son achieves his goals.

Thank you AUSA Hoops.

— ANTHONY & JUSTINE GOLDRICK

 Margaret and I wanted to send you guys and the rest of your team, a thank you for all the work you have done with, and on behalf of our son in helping him gain a Division 1 College Scholarship.

18 months ago we had no idea what the next step was going to be for our son as all his junior basketball had finished. We did a bit of research and decided we would attend an AUSA Skills Clinic to see where it would take us. That very first day, our son built a bond with Flynn that even now still sees them talking regularly.

The opportunity you provided Matt by allowing him to stay at your house so he could attend your Summer Academy, set him up well for his first-ever Nationals tournament and AAU Tour to the US.

This whole process was very new to us. There was an element of fear and I know it seemed like we had a ton of phone calls/ emails as we were constantly asking questions but you guided us with little fuss and assisted us thru this journey which helped put us at ease.

So as of May, our journey with Drake University kicks off. Our son could not have got this opportunity without the hard work and support from all of the team at AUSA. From the Gray’s, we sincerely thank you for all your dedication in making our son’s dreams come true.

PS – if you have other parents in similar situations and they need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to give them our number.

— DARREN AND MARGARET GRAY

Heidi and I are blessed with three fabulous, smart and athletic boys. The oldest chose rugby, and the other two chose basketball. Our middle son was lucky enough to be nominated by Basketball NSW to represent Australia in three events. Through that and a couple of contacts, he got lucky and landed a D1 scholarship at Santa Clara University. This may be the path for the rare few who play for Australia, but it wasn’t the path for our youngest son.

After being cut by the NSW U18 state team, and seeing what a great experience his brother was having, our youngest decided he wanted to go to the US to finish High School. AAU tournaments are awesome and the AUSA Hoops tour presented many options and ultimately sealed a D1 scholarship for our son. But what really got him that was his hard work the years before at Scots Academy in Sydney, then 2 years at Montverde Academy in Florida in the US.

If you follow US HS basketball, you know Montverde. He ate, drank and slept basketball for 2 years, studied hard and challenged himself to be the best he could – in all aspects of his life. Simply put, you can get better anywhere, but if you want to be the best you can be, then you have to play against the best talent you can find. So, if you want to play college ball in the States, you simply have to go there.

Playing at Montverde, our son has played with and against literally hundreds of D1 prospects, and you simply won’t find that many in Australia. You can’t replicate the talent, size, quickness and attitude. You just have to go there. A tour is one thing….but going to HS in the States is priceless. The sacrifice is enormous – financially and otherwise. But, the payoff lasts forever. ‘No regrets’ was our son’s mantra, and now he has 4-5 years of free education and a life experience staring him right in the face! He would never have had that without the AUSA Hoops tour, and his time at Montverde Academy.

The guys at AUSA Hoops have developed a great network in the States. Their AAU Tours are second to none. And if you really want the full experience and give it your best shot….you should consider finishing HS in the States. Go for it!

— MIKE & HEIDI HEALY