About & History

About Australian Basketball Players’ Association

The ABPA was formed in October 2016 from the foundations of the NBLPA and WNBLPA. The ABPA’s objective is to grow the game and the players’ position as genuine partners in shaping the future of Australian Basketball. The Players’ Association Board is composed of prominent past players and industry experts in administration and finance, including Chairman, Greg O’Neill OAM, Jenna O’Hea, Mitch McCarron, Bert Bargeus, Cayla George, Laura Hodges and CEO, Jacob Holmes.

About the Australian Basketball Players’ Association

The ABPA was formed in October 2016 from the foundations of the NBLPA and WNBLPA.
The ABPA’s objective is to grow the game and the players’ position as genuine partners
in shaping the future of Australian Basketball. The Players Association Board is composed
of prominent past players and industry experts in administration and finance, including
Chairman, Greg O’Neill OAM, Jenna O’Hea, Mitch McCarron, Bert Bargeus, Cayla George, Laura Hodges and CEO, Jacob Holmes.

Our Purpose, Vision & Values

We represent, protect, advocate and promote the players in their best interests and for the benefit of basketball in Australia.

1@2x

For the Players

We’re a Team, strong and united.

2@2x

The Players Voice

Young and Progressive.

3@2x

For the Game

We believe in the overall health of the game is a prerequisite for the health of our players.

4@2x

Resourceful & Ethical

We have strong work ethic and do what is right for our players.

Our Purpose, Vision & Values

We represent, protect, advocate and promote the players in their best interests and for the benefit of basketball in Australia.

For the Players

We’re a Team, strong and united.

The Players Voice

Young and Progressive.

For the Game

We believe in the overall health of the game is a prerequisite for the health of our players.

Resourceful & Ethical

We have strong work ethic and do what is right for our players.

Since its establishment, the ABPA has been instrumental in securing minimum
wages for basketballers playing in our National Leagues, negotiating
improved conditions and support for our senior national teams through
Collective Bargaining Agreement with Basketball Australia, and have
established a Player Development and wellbeing program, including work
experience, education and mental health support.
Since its establishment, the ABPA has been instrumental in securing minimum wages for basketballers playing in our National Leagues, negotiating improved conditions and support for our senior national teams through Collective Bargaining Agreement with Basketball Australia, and have established a Player Development and wellbeing program, including work experience, education and mental health support.

Our History

The NBLPA was one of the first player unions in Australian sport and was led by players such as Andrew Vlahov, Rupert Sapwell and Matthew Campbell.

2016: The ABPA was formed from the foundations of the NBLPA and WNBLPA. The former of which was a strong advocate for the players in the NBL since the 1980’s. Then the ABA, the association was established by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and headed up by former Boomer and NBL player and foundation CEO, Jacob Holmes, alongside Opals legend, Lauren Jackson, with industrial support from the MEAA

2016: The ABA negotiates and signs the first MOU with Basketball Australia, establishing a formal relationship between the parties and ensuring funding for ABA programs and the negotiation of the inaugural National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement

January 2017: The ABA’s Player Development Program is introduced. The program is a multidimensional initiative that provides all NBL players with access to mental health support and referrals, education and internship opportunities and support, financial health education, and induction and transition program participation

November 2018: The ABA and Basketball Australia announces the inaugural National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement, ensuring wide-ranging improved conditions for Australia’s elite players and securing 25 per cent of BA revenue for international games in Australia

March 2019: The ABA welcomes a  73 per cent increase in the WNBL Minimum Wage from $7,500 to $13,000

The WNBLPA was formed in the 2000’s and led by Lauren Jackson, Jess Foley and Sharni Milner.

The ABA was established to ensure player wellbeing, improve player conditions and protect and defend player rights, including fair pay.

The ABA now has the backing of the majority of Australia’s professional basketballers including the national Australian men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Boomers and Opals, who both unanimously voted to join their counterparts in the NBL and WNBL to be professionally represented and protected by the ABA.

2016: ABA renegotiates the NBL Players Agreement, Standard Player Contract and Salary Cap and Contracting Rules, rejuvenating the NBL with the removal of the Player Points System and hard Salary Cap, as well as ensuring an increase in the Salary Cap for the first time in 7 years

November 2017: The ABA and the WNBL announces the establishment of the inaugural WNBL Players Minimum Conditions Agreement, which saw all employed players guaranteed a minimum wage of $7,500. Previously approximately 20 per cent of all WNBL players were paid less than $5,000, with some getting only reimbursement for minor expenses

October 2018: The ABA announces the inaugural WNBL Pregnancy and Parental Policy, the first policy of its kind in the WNBL, providing best practice support and protections for players and their families.

May 2019: the Australian Basketballers’ Association undergoes rebrand and name change to the Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA). The change transforms the organisation’s public facing identity into a more contemporary design, reflecting the modern successes of Australian basketball players and the achievements and evolution of the ABA since its inception in 2015

Our History

The NBLPA was one of the first player unions in Australian sport and was led by players such as Andrew Vlahov, Rupert Sapwell and Matthew Campbell.

The WNBLPA was formed in the 2000’s and led by Lauren Jackson, Jess Foley and Sharni Milner.

The ABA was established to ensure player wellbeing, improve player conditions and protect and defend player rights, including fair pay.

2016: The ABPA was formed from the foundations of the NBLPA and WNBLPA. The former of which was a strong advocate for the players in the NBL since the 1980’s. Then the ABA, the association was established by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and headed up by former Boomer and NBL player and foundation CEO, Jacob Holmes, alongside Opals legend, Lauren Jackson, with industrial support from the MEAA

The ABA now has the backing of the majority of Australia’s professional basketballers including the national Australian men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Boomers and Opals, who both unanimously voted to join their counterparts in the NBL and WNBL to be professionally represented and protected by the ABA.

2016: The ABA negotiates and signs the first MOU with Basketball Australia, establishing a formal relationship between the parties and ensuring funding for ABA programs and the negotiation of the inaugural National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement

2016: ABA renegotiates the NBL Players Agreement, Standard Player Contract and Salary Cap and Contracting Rules, rejuvenating the NBL with the removal of the Player Points System and hard Salary Cap, as well as ensuring an increase in the Salary Cap for the first time in 7 years

January 2017: The ABA’s Player Development Program is introduced. The program is a multidimensional initiative that provides all NBL players with access to mental health support and referrals, education and internship opportunities and support, financial health education, and induction and transition program participation

November 2017: The ABA and the WNBL announces the establishment of the inaugural WNBL Players Minimum Conditions Agreement, which saw all employed players guaranteed a minimum wage of $7,500. Previously approximately 20 per cent of all WNBL players were paid less than $5,000, with some getting only reimbursement for minor expenses

October 2018: The ABA announces the inaugural WNBL Pregnancy and Parental Policy, the first policy of its kind in the WNBL, providing best practice support and protections for players and their families.

November 2018: The ABA and Basketball Australia announces the inaugural National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement, ensuring wide-ranging improved conditions for Australia’s elite players and securing 25 per cent of BA revenue for international games in Australia

March 2019: The ABA welcomes a 73 per cent increase in the WNBL Minimum Wage from $7,500 to $13,000

May 2019: the Australian Basketballers’ Association undergoes rebrand and name change to the Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA). The change transforms the organisation’s public facing identity into a more contemporary design, reflecting the modern successes of Australian basketball players and the achievements and evolution of the ABA since its inception in 2015