A group of local young basketball players is set to take their skills international, with a life-changing educational trip to the United States planned for April 2026.
The Pakenham Basketball Development Academy Under-16 boys squad, made up of ten committed local athletes aged 14–15, has been offered the chance to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, for a week-long basketball and educational experience.
The tour includes a five-game tournament, participation in an elite basketball training camp, and an educational visit to an American college or university to better understand the pathways between education and sport in the United States.
The players who come from Pakenham, Officer, and Narre Warren, include Jaron Payet, Samuel Martin, Mackenzie Tucker, Max Staley, Noah Agok, Lachlan Teague, Subahn Khan, Krish Kumar and Tom Haas.
This opportunity is particularly meaningful as the boys are committed, mid-tier development athletes.
“Experiences of this nature are typically only available to elite players, making this tour a rare and powerful opportunity to broaden their horizons, expose them to high-performance environments, and reinforce the importance of balancing education with sporting aspirations,” the GoFundMe page reads.
Coach Jamie Payet said the focus of this experience is not only for the boys to compete overseas, but also to learn at the highest level.
“While this trip is not affiliated with the Pakenham Warriors Basketball Club, the opportunity for these boys to travel to the United States has been made possible through connections established by our Academy, which is relatively new to the local area,” he said.
The academy, which has a strong focus on building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, is seeking community support to make the tour accessible for all families.
Families and coaches of the players have launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for travel, accommodation, and tournament costs.
The parents say this investment in local youth goes beyond basketball, promoting education, health, and community wellbeing.
For those interested in supporting the squad, donations and sponsorship are welcomed as planning for the trip moves forward.
Gofundme details: https://gofund.me/2e53a9458
